P O D E BA L 1 9 9 8 -- 2 0 0 8
The present post-socialist situation has been affected by the old 'leftover problems' of the past, one of them being the mechanism of resistance to power and ideology. In its defense against the regime, art had been fossilized in the traditional values of artistic autonomy. One of the extreme reactions to the old intrusions into art, justified on political grounds, is the de-politicizing of art and the weakening of its social function, which forms part of new conservative attitudes in culture. In the Czech milieu, the re-politicization of art and the radicalization of political thought could create a counter-balance to the post-political politics (non-political politics), which has shifted into the space outside ideological disputes and which tries to prevent partial or minority requests from being presented as universal requests (Slavoj Žižek). The first among art groups that politicized the Czech art scene in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries was Pode Bal. The artistic community has accepted them with great reservation because they have broken the taboo of de-politicization and have seized the space in which they organize their exhibitions in a totalitarian manner, extending it to the sphere of mass media and creating crisis by means of their ambiguous projects. At the same time, they have stuck to Czech themes, including: the link between the new ruling élite and collaborators of the former secret police, the forced departure of Sudetten Germans from Czechoslovakia in the aftermath of World War II, anti-drug legislation, as well as criticism of the institution of the National Gallery, carried out in the form of action-situation. The artistic practices of Pode Bal revived the cognitive and therapeutic functions of art at a time when the de-politicized or anti-political cultural society was loosing its awareness of the fact that there are broader issues, that solidarity is possible and that it makes sense to strive for a change of the system. The radicalization and politicization ` the of aesthetics should result in an iconoclastic gesture vis-a-vis ideology of total distancing and transcendence, which at last in the Czech lands has led to art becoming more like a religion and turning the attention away from the medium itself.
Jiří Ševčík, 2004
PODE BAL / 1998 -2008
Tato publikace je shrnutím práce skupiny Pode Bal a zároveň pokusem o nalezení nových souvislostí, které mohou vzniknout seskupením všech projektů, realizovaných za posledních deset let. This is a recapitulation of the first ten years of Pode Bal’s work. It is also an attempt to discover new meanings and relations that may surface through compiling the group’s projects into one publication.
6 Installation in the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Prague, February 1998
Poster, shown at the Austrotel Contemporary Art Fair, Vienna, 1999
Stamp was introduced at a public space exhibition CZ99, Prague 1999
Installation project at the Václav Špála Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2000 / The project was then shown in many other Czech and Slovak galleries
EXTRADICTION
ZIMMER FREI
052
058
Gallery Framework, Berlin, 2005
REACTION PAINTING
FLAGE LANT- SHIRTS
110
112
Open air painting, exhibition in Gallery Gambit, Prague, 2006
COVER ART
1 42
Installation project, participation on a group exhibition Between Us Groups in the Municipal Gallery of Brno, Brno, 2006
Separate works, shown in various contexts and group exhibitions, 1998 -- 2008
Installation project, interpretations of art works by famous western artists, Gallery Hunt Kastner Artworks, Prague, 2007
TAJNÁ ZPRÁVA / TOP SECRET REPORT
1 36
1 24 ÚČAST NA PROJEKTECH / PARTICIPATION ON PROJECTS
1 22 LETY
Exhibition in public space, Art Wall Gallery, Nábřeží kpt. Jaroše, Prague, May -- June 2006
Series of paintings, first shown in the C2C Gallery, Prague, 2006 and in the Polish gallery BWA Arsenal, Poznan, 2007
FLAGELANTI / FLAGELLANTS
1 1 4 OBRAZY/ PICTURES
Performance held during the 2nd year of the Festival Dialog of Cultures, Palace Lucerna, Prague, November 2005
Action in public space, vicinity of Charles Bridge, Prague, October 2005
Exhibition project, introduced at the PragueBiennale2, Prague, 2005
CONVERSE
100
Project for the City of Bolzano, Italy, 2005 -- 2006; visualization of public space installation, refused by the Mayor in its final stages
EAGLES
Installation in public space during the festival Dialog of Cultures, Prague, November 2004
098
096 ZAHRÁDKA / GARDEN
DIALOG DER DENKMALER
090
Return of the memorial “Suffering of the 6th Army” to Vienna, Niemandsland, Künstlerhaus, Vienna, April -- June 2004
LEIDEN DER 6. ARMEE
086
Public space installation, Amsterdam, Bratislava, 2003 -- 2004
SERIAL SNIPER
116
Object, public space intervention, guerrilla installation, event, Zítkovy sady, Prague, October 2002
Installation project, Municipal Gallery of Šternberk, Šternberk, Czech Republic, July 2003
082
076 STARS
VĚRNI ZŮSTANEME / FAITHFUL WE SHALL REMAIN
Public space intervention, guerrilla installation, Memorial to the Victims of Communism, Prague, June 2002
Public space intervention and gallery installation, part of the international exhibition of political art Politik-um / New Engagement, Prague, May 2002
Installation project and public space intervention, part of the international exhibition of political art Politik-um / New Angagement, Gallery and courtyard of Prague Castle, May 2002
066 LIDÉ LIDEM / PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE
070 CROSSDRESSING
Guerrilla installation, entrance of the Collection of Modern Art, National Gallery, Prague, February 2002
Installation project, part of a collective exhibition curated by Jiří and Jana Ševčík, Museo da Aqua, Lisbon, Portugal, May 2002
INSTITUCIONALIZOVANÉ UMĚNÍ / INSTITUTIONALIZED ART
Exhibition project, video installation, gallery NOD, Prague, April 2001
048
044 PAY PER VIEW
Experimental project in public space of the underground metro station Můstek, Prague, 2000
Installation project at the second showing of the exhibition Uberlebens Kunst, curated by Jiří and Jana Ševčík, Festival Mitte Europe, castle Kulnbach, Germany, October 2000
MALÍK URVI / GEN -- GALLERY OF ESTABLISHED NOMENCLATURE
042 CITY LIGHTS
072
Exhibition of posters, performance, Gallery of the Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, 1999
Video, shown in the exhibition Uberlebens Kunst curated by Jiří and Jana Ševčík, NBK, Berlin, 2000
040 EDITORIAL
030
026 EUTOPIA
025 CAMPAIGN
024 ZNÁMKA / STAMP
TGM CHICKEN
020
Installation project, Gallery MXM, Prague, 1999
VĚTŠÍ MNOŽSTVÍ STÁTNÍ DROGY / LARGER AMOUNT OF STATE DRUGS
Exhibition of posters, Cinema U Hradeb, Prague, 1998
018
0 1 7 AKCE ČESKÉ RUCE / ACTION CZECH HANDS
Poster campaign in public space, various Czech cities, 1998
PROHIBICE PARLAMENTU / PROHIBITION OF THE PARLIAMENT
0 1 6 EXTRÉMNÍ KAMPAŇ / EXTREME CAMPAIGN
012
PROJEKTY / PROJECTS
(brief no. 14), 11. 14. 2001
(brief no. 25), 12. 10. 2004
(brief no. 24), 10. 12. 2004
(brief no. 29), 10. 18. 2005
(brief no. 30), 12. 23. 2005
(brief no. 35), 10. 21. 2006
(brief no. 38), 01. 10. 2007
(brief no. 40), 08. 20. 2007 (brief no. 42), 10. 02. 2007
252 / Members of Pode Bal / collaborators / special thanks
INDEX
238 / Michal Šiml 241 / Petr Motyčka 245 / Jiří Přibáň 246 / Miroslav Petříček 247 / Lenka Kukurová 248 / Kamil Nábělek 250 / Tomáš Pospiszyl 251 / Karel Hvížďala 251 / Jiří David
DOPROVODNÉ TEXTY / ADDITIONAL TEXTS
17 7 -- 235 For specification see the gray numbers in the contents section PROJECTS
DOKUMENTACE K PROJEKTŮM / PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
175 Hráči béčkových filmů / B-Movie Players
174 White Sensation
(brief no. 39), 03. 23. 2007
(brief no. 37), 11. 23. 2006
173 Navázání na nenápadné tendence v českém umění / Participation on the Inconspicuous Tendencies in Czech Art
172 Fatva Rap
1 7 1 Úprava památníku 2. odboje / Modification of the Monument of the Resistance Against Nazzi Occupation
170 Výmalné / Racketeer-Art
(brief no. 32), 06. 17. 2006
(brief no. 27), 07. 07. 2005
/ Discovery of the Person who Stopped the Tanks on the Tienanmen Square
169 Objevení člověka, který zastavil tanky na nám. Tienanmen
168 Fašistické prasátko / Fascist Pig
167 Módní kolekce / Fashion Collection
166 Malba historických okamžiků / Painting Historical Moments
165 Trojjedinost / Trinity
(brief no. 20), 12. 09. 2003
(brief no. 23), 07. 06. 2004
164 TV Hack -- Ulice / TV Hack -- Street
163 Zhodnocení měny / Valorization
162 Institucionální projekce / Institutional Projections
(brief no. 17), 06. 13. 2002
Freude Durch Kaufen
(brief no. 11), 03. 13. 2000
(brief no. 8), 09. 30. 1999
1 6 1 Teroristé / Terrorists
160
159 Moral Credit
158 PB road movie
(brief no. 3), 10. 20. 1998
(brief no. 2), 04. 14. 1998
157 Veřejné popravy / Public Executions
156 Instrukce 02 / Instructions 02
BRIEFS
obsah / contents
7
projekty / projects
11
One of the posters from Pode Bal’s exhibition in the Parliament of the Czech Republic Text: “trampling over the rights of a minority eases the way to the voting majority; prohibition creates more victims”, Cprint, 70 x 100 cm, 1998 Opposite: installation in the Parliament of the Czech Republic.
1
2
Installation in the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Prague, February 1998
PROHIBICE PARLAMENTU / PROHIBITION OF THE PARLIAMENT
Pode Bal’s first project was conceived for the specific context of the Czech Parliament. At the time an amendment that would criminalize all illicit drug users had been proposed. Anyone caught in possesion of any drug “in the amount of greater than small” would have a good chance of serving a sentence in jail for up to several years. Pode Bal created a collection of 16 posters charging the involved political parties with irrisponsible populism. The exhibition was installed without anyone controling its content and sparked some very sharp reactions from several politicians. As a result, the issue drew media attention, which was absent before the exhibition.
Members of the Czech Parliament viewing Pode Bal’s exhibition of posters Left and right top: posters from the exhibition in the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Cprints 70 x 100 cm
3
Above and opposite top: posters from the exhibition in the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Cprints, 70 x 100 cm Poster texts left to right: 1) “a policeman will adjust the thinking of your son”, 2) “you look like a junkie, boy”, 3) “the fact that Jesus liked wine doesn’t necessarily mean he hated marihuana”
4
Poster campaign in public space, various Czech cities, 1998
EXTRÉMNÍ KAMPAŇ / EXTREME CAMPAIGN 5
One of Pode Bal’s Extreme Campaign posters, posted during the election of 1998, text: “the minister of health warns: socialism and fascism are harmfull”
Global Street party, small text: “The west had no need for the Czechoslovak political experiment after January 1968 to be successful. As a result of the tragic events in August ‘68, both sides of the Iron Curtain remained satisfied and Western Capitalism has no real competition to this day.” Cprint, 70 x 00 cm, 1998
6
Exhibition of posters, Cinema U Hradeb, Prague, 1998
AKCE ČESKÉ RUCE / ACTION CZECH HANDS
Car with a rhythm of life, Cprint, 70 x 100 cm, 1998
7
The exhibition manipulates ads for legal drugs, making them promote illegal drugs instead. While changing as little as possible, the remakes examine “state drug” advertisements and their absurd communication strategies. Part of the exhibition was an opening performance, where large amounts of state drugs were served for free and a screening of the propagandist film Reefer Maddness.
8
Exhibition of posters, performance, Gallery of the Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, 1999
Opposite: posters from the exhibition Larger Amount of State Drugs, Cprints 70 x 100 cm, 1998 texts: Johnnie Walker: “the only risk is not to try it” (official ad claim), Gauloises Blondes: “master’s warning: even non-state drugs may cause visual distortions”, H-1: “lightly enjoying” (official cigarette ad claim), Marlboro: “Pode Bal warns: smoking other than state drugs is harmfull to your liberty.”
VĚTŠÍ MNOŽSTVÍ STÁTNÍ DROGY / LARGER AMOUNT OF STATE DRUGS
Above: performance at the opening, video
Installation view, TGM Chicken, Gallery MXM, Prague, 1999
Installation project, Gallery MXM, Prague, 1999
TGM CHICKEN
The first level – suggesting Czech identity in the ‘90s – is the central motif: TGM Chicken. It spoofs a ubiquitous fast-food chain and employs a caricature of the founding father of the nation, Tomáš Garrique Masaryk. (Caroline Wren, The Prague Post 6.-12. 10. 1999)
TGM Chicken was a three-level installation, created specifically for the space of the MXM Gallery. TGM is short for Tomáš Garrique Masaryk, the first president and founding father of Czechoslovakia.
Text in the third level: After cleaning the heads of all the dead bodies we discovered that the adults had been shot in the head from behind. The murderers had also smashed the head of a baby, obviously with the butt of a rifle. All the victims were Gemans selected for transportation. Czech guards, for example, had shot a group of old women during the transport. A lot of people, exhausted by the long march, were kicked to death. The dead bodies of about 25 people and one baby wraped in a blanket were taken out of the holes piece by piece. They were mostly older men and women. The exact number of victims of this death march is not known. While the German side talks about several thousands, Czech sources mention 476 dead.
11
The second level represents typical Czech people. The images of happy people were taken from communist-era editions of the magazine Vlasta and illuminated as “city lights�. (Caroline Wren, The Prague Post 6.-12. 10. 1999)
Behind the smiling faces ran the third level. Along the wall ran a line of text encircling the exhibition, which evoked the atrocities committed in the employment of the BeneĹĄ Decrees and the resulting expulsion of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia following World War II. (Caroline Wren, The Prague Post 6.-12. 10. 1999)
12
ZNĂ MKA / STAMP
Stamp was introduced at a public space exhibition CZ99, Prague 1999
Above: Stamp, Cprint, 3.5 x 5 cm, 1999 Opposite: Heider, Cprint, 70 x 100 cm, 1999
14
Poster, shown at the Austrotel Contemporary Art Fair, Vienna, 1999
CAMPAIGN
Left and right above: installation view of Eutopia in the Gallery NBK, Berlin Following page: frames from the video Eutopia.
15
16
Video, shown in the exhibition Uberlebens Kunst curated by Jiří and Jana Ševčík, NBK, Berlin, 2000
EUTOPIA
Video Eutopia is a rapid succesion of static frames, comprised of pictures from different sources and texts alluding to the EU. Projections were carried out in different European cities and in the US.
Václav Špála Gallery during the last day of the exhibition Malík Urvi / GEN Opposite: Installation view, Václav Špála Gallery, 2000
The exhibition was comprised of 36 portraits of former collaborators of the Czech communist secret service (the StB), the KGB, StB officers and communist functionaries, that managed to maintain influential positions after the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The portraits contained short autobiographies, limited mostly to the posts and activities of the chosen individuals before and after the revolution. The exhibition generated unprecedented public attention and was the cause of many controversies in the art scene and the general media. A copy of the exhibit was commissioned by a private party, touring galleries and public spaces in the Czech Republic for several years.
19
20
Installation project at the Václav Špála Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2000 / The project was then shown in many other Czech and Slovak galleries
MALÍK URVI / GEN -- GALLERY OF ESTABLISHED NOMENCLATURE
Marian Čalfa: member of KSČ since 1964. From 1972 he was an employee of the Governmental presidium office, where he became assistant chairman in 1987. From November 1989 until 1992 he was Prime Minister to the first ČSFR governments. In the spring of 1989 he received a residency in Hanspaulka from Husak‘s government. In 1999 he was still using this residency (which is in possession of diplomatic services). Since 1994, he has been a presidential adviser to Václav Havel. In 1995, he was asked by Miloš Zeman to join ČSSD. Since 1995 he has been an adviser of Chemapol group.
Jan Cimický: KSČ member, a functionary of the Communist Writers Association. Appointed by communists as a registrar of the mental institution in Bohnice. In 1989 asked for stronger punishment for signatories of the “Několik vět“ petition. StB collaborator – “Pinel“ (category D-46485). Since 1989 he has been writing advice columns in Czech magazines and newspapers (Longevity, Blesk magazine, Rytmus Života, Květy, Žena a život, and others). He has apeared on the Czech TV (ČT 1) show “S politiky netančím.“ A member of the Czech journalist syndicate, Writers association, Translators association and the president of the Czech section of the francophone psychiatric association.
Vladimír Dlouhý: a member of KSČ since 1977. In 1989 he left the party, turning from a KSČ functionary into a functionary of the right-wing political party ODA. In the first half of the ‘90s, he was Minister of Industry. He set up a foreign bank account for ODA under the name of a fictitious company, TMC, where financial contributions amounting to millions of Czech Crowns were deposited. He was nicknamed by many in ODA as “Voloďa“ or “Mazlík“. At the end of the ‘90s he joined the Board of Directors of the company ABB. Since 3. 23. 1999, he has been the vice-president of the Board of Directors at Bohemiae foundation.
Works from Malík Urvi series, electrostatic transfer on canvas, 100 x 120 cm, 2000
Pavel Jirků: StB Captain (official identification number 228347, 2nd administration, 12th section – ideo-diversionistic center). Since 8. 15. 1997 a member of the supervisory board of DELTA PROJECT, a.s., since 6. 3. 1998 a member of the Board of Directors of D-Korekt (liquidated), since 1. 7. 1998 a secretary of JBH, s.r.o., 9. 15. 1998–4. 26. 1999 a secretary of Kovopolit, s.r.o., since 3. 22. 1999 a member of the Board of Directors of DELTA broker, a.s. (stock and security business), since 8. 23. 1999 a member of the supervisory board of Balírny Café Bohemia, a.s.
21
Jaromír Johanes: studied in Moscow. In 1955 recruited by the KGB. In 1956 given to French secret service on a KGB request. Later handed over to StB (ideology cooperator “Moravský“). 1960–1971 in Great Britain as a press attaché. In 1989, last Minister of Foreign Affairs of communist Czechoslovakia. Until 1994 Czech Ambassador in Turkey. Since 1994 a director of Ankara branch of Škodaexport.
Václav Junek: joined the KSČ at the age of 22, at the end of the former regime he was a member of the ÚV KSČ. StB collaborator since 1980. StB officially ended cooperation with Junek in 1991. In 1975 he joined Chemapol. In 1990 he became its general director, and a member of the Board of Directors. In the ‘90s he is one of the owners of the company Proventa, controlling 25% of the shares in Chemapol. He also became active in the following companies: Forest Group, a.s., Aliachem, a.s., Spolana, a.s., Lesní společnost Trhanov, a.s., C.H.T., a.s., C.H.C., a.s., Chemapol Group Foundation. A member of the supervisory board of the foundation “Pražský podzim“.
Jan Kavan (part of the MalĂk Urvi series), electrostatic transfer on canvas, 100 x 120 cm, 2000
Jan Kavan: in 1969 he was recruited by the StB to inform on his fellow university students. Also in 1969, he reported to the StB about J. PelikĂĄn's trip to London. In the early 1990s he committed perjury in a sworn affidavit for the British Broadcasting Complaints Commission. In 1998 the High Court in Prague pronounced that he was a perjurer and a liar. His classification in the category Close Collaborator (DS) as stipulated in the StB files was confirmed by an appeal court. Since 1998, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
22
Vasil Buleca: StB Major (official identification number 158835, 2nd administration, 12th section – ideo-diversionistic center). 5. 25. 1998–6. 9. 1998 chairman of supervisory board Optimus Consult, a.s. (formerly CREDITANSTALT INVESTMENT COMPANY, a.s.). Since 9. 1. 1997 a member of the Board of Directors of AGB – leasing Praha, a.s.
Miroslav Šlouf: 1977–86 a member of the Board of Directors of ÚV SSM [a youth communist faction]. 1981–92 a member of the Czech National Board for KSČ. 1982–86 chairman of Czech ÚV SSM. 1988–90 chairman of ONV Prague 7. After leaving the KSČ, he became a member of ČSSD, Electoral manager of ČSSD, and the spiritual father of a successful election strategy involving a road show with the bus “Zemák“. ‘90s: President of local organization of ČSSD. A Chief Secretary in Zeman‘s cabinet. Member of ÚVV ČSSD.
Richard Falbr: teacher at the school of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (1963–1969). Received a positive result during the screening process, confirming him as a member of the StB cadres, category A. He inspected foreign mail for the StB on the reading machine “Jezero,“ [Lake] a special patent of StB. Since 1990 he has held high posts in labour unions. Since 1994, president of Czech-Moravian chamber of OS. Vice president of ČSSD during the years 1992–93.
Works from Malík Urvi series, electrostatic transfer on canvas, 100 x 120 cm, 2000 opposite: exterior view of the Vaclav Špála Gallery during the exhibition, 2000
Václav Exner: listed as StB collaborator with the code names “Vrba” and “Izák” (Category D) in the leaked StB records. This was confirmed by the Screening Committee. Became a member of the Czech Parliament in 1992. In the 1990s, he became Vide-President of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM).
Karel Srp: Between 1976 and 1982 he regularly informed the StB about the activities of his friends. Agent code name “Hudebník”. Initially worked with the StB as an informer, from 1979 on as an agent. Attended 151 meetings, wrote 299 reports. In 1990 he worked at the Ministry of Culture. In 1999 he was a ČSSD candidate for the Senate elections.
Jan Hataš: StB Major (official identification number 160866, 2nd administration, 10th section). From 2. 26. 1997 to 6. 3. 1998 a member of the Board of Directors of D-Korekt (liquidated). Since 8. 15. 1997 a member of the Board of Directors of DELTA broker a.s. (stock and security business). Since 8. 23. 1999 a member of the Board of Directors of Balírny Café Bohemia, a.s. Since 11. 5. 1999 secretary of Kovopolit, s.r.o.
24
Vladimír Kočandrle: between 1986 and 1989 he was a candidate for the central comitee – ÚV KSČ. After 1989 he was stripped of his professorship, which he had received from the last communist president G. Husák even though he lacked the appropriate scientific or academic qualifications. Member of ČSSD.
Jiří Komorous: since 1988 informer in reserve of the chief of the 1st administration of StB (4th section – “Pražan“). Trained by the StB to be sent to France. In 1993 he became head of the National anti-drug central of the Czech Police.
Rudolf Kotál: StB Major (official identification number 189893; 5th section -- culture, health service). From 1. 28. 1997 to 8. 19. 1997 President of the Board of Directors of Naděje, a.s. (“LOTO - lottery of life“). Since 8. 19. 1997 member of the Board of Directors in the same organisation.
Oskar Marek: General Major, prior to 1989 was the commanding chief of main political administration over the West military region (so called “highest politruk“) a member of the Czech National Board. In the second half of the ‘90s, a councilor in České Budějovice.
Pavel Mertlík: joined the KSČ at the age of 20, achieved the highest academic title “candidate of the sciences” and left the party in spring 1990. In the ‘90s he became Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy and subsequently Minister of Finance. Member of ČSSD.
Vlastimil Tlustý: active member of KSČ during the former regime. After 1989 President of the Board of Directors of Pilsen‘s Breweries. In January 1998 elected head of the ODS faction of the Czech Parliament and shadow Minister of Finance.
25
Michal Kraus: since 1986 a KSČ member of Parliament. Since 1991 in ČSSD, and since 1996 a Member of Czech Parliament.
Oskar Krejčí: during the former regime, he was an adviser of the Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec. Recruited by StB first as an informer, later in the category Resident (“Oskar“, “Kaláb“). In the ‘90s a member of ČSSD.
Jan Křivánek: held high communist positions and was a member of the Czechoslovak Socialist Youth Movement. In the OV KSČ evening school, he studied methodology of political agitation. Holder of the Badge for Socialist Education. In the ‘90s he was a state‘s attorney in Prague. He is also active in the “Action Clean Hands“, an anticorruption team of ČSSD.
Works from Malík Urvi series, electrostatic transfer on canvas, 100 x 120 cm, 2000
Jaromír Nohavica: secret StB collaborator – category A – “Mirek“ (29320) [very well known Czech folk singer and poet, considered to be part of the “underground” cultural scene during the communist regime].
Zdeněk Škromach: member of the KSČ from 1982 until 1989. In the 1990s he became Deputy chairman of ČSSD, and a Member of Parliament.
Vojtěch Filip: joined KSČ in 1983. Registered as StB collaborator (1st administration). During the 1990s he became a member of Parliament. Head of the KSČM faction in the Czech Parliament.
26
Radim Valenčík: before November 1989 a teacher of Marxism-Leninism at the University of Economics. During "Palach Week" in January 1989 he was actively involved in the brutal suppression of demonstrators as a member of the People's Militia. After November 1989 he worked as an editor at Špígl, advocating the interests of Štěpán's Party of Czechoslovak Communists. At the end of the 1990s he joined ČSSD, as well as becoming a professor at the Bank Academy.
Yvonne Strecková: KSČ member from 1952 until 1989. Between 1970 and 1990, she was in charge of State research assignments. Her biography is a list of leading functions in agriculture and education during the former regime. In the 1990s became a deputy to the Minister of International Affairs, Václav Grulich.
Vladimír Vetchý: KSČ member from 1980 until 1989. During the former regime instructed at the Military University in Brno. In the ‘90s a ČSSD member, and a Minister of Defense for the social-democratic government.
Miroslav Grégr: in the ‘60s a member of the top advisory agencies of the communist governments of ČSSR, ČSR and ÚV NF, as well as the director of Desta Děčín. In 1990 a minister of the first democratic government. 1990 – 1996 again director of Desta Děčín. Since 1996 a ČSSD Member of Parliament, and since 1998 Minister of Industry and Trade. Surrounds himself with ex-communist exponents, i.e. Zdeněk Vorlíček (a long time KSČ member, former Prague’s communist deputy, now G.‘s adviser), Vlastimil Nesrsta (KSČ member in the late ‘80s, ČTS informer in Moscow, appearing on the list of StB collaborators - category D. “Vlasta“, now the chief of G.‘s cabinet), Milada Vlasáková (KSČ functionary in the ‘70s and ‘80s, now G.‘s deputy).
Miroslav Toman: in the early ‘80s, he finished his studies at the ÚV KSČ Political University. During the communist regime, he was Federal Minister of Agriculture, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech government, and an ÚV KSČ candidate, as well as holding other positions. After November 1989 co-founder of Agrotrade holding, and President of the Board of Directors there. In the ‘90s held high positions in following companies: AGT Invest, s.r.o., Drůbežářské závody Klatovy, a.s., Xaverov, a.s., Západočeská plemenářská unie, a.s., Moraviafrost, a.s., Českomoravská potravinářská, a.s., Drůbežářský podnik Libuš, Xaverov holding, a.s. Ranked by the magazine Týden, he apeared among the 50 richest Czechs of today.
Pavel Minařík: studied in USSR. Former agent of the 1st administration of FMV, ranked Lieutenant Colonel. Evaluated as “key collaborator“. In 1969 sent by the 1st administration to Radio Free Europe. In 1989 a managing editor of the magazine Signal. After 1989 co-founded Družstvo Signál – Mír, and founded the security agency Mink, contracted to protect the KSČ residency. In 1993 put on trial for preparing a bomb attack on Radio Free Europe in Munich.The High Court repealed the case. Together with his colleagues from Ukraine, he is active in the following companies: Invest commercial consulting, s.r.o. – secretary and partner. EVCK-CZ, s.r.o. – secretary. IGSL-CZ, s.r.o. – secretary.
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Leon Richter: from 1961 to 1969 a speaker of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Secret StB collaborator (“Jiří Novotný“, No. 434). 9. 15. 1989 – 6. 28. 1990 deputy of the Minister of Justice. Since 6. 29. 1990 Czech Minister of Justice. In the ‘90s also a chairman of legislative committee of the Czech government.
Works from Malík Urvi series, electrostatic transfer on canvas, 100 x 120 cm, 2000
Miroslav Plzák: verifiably an StB agent since 1969 (“8“, “Karel“, “Psychiatr“ – 2105). Magazine Právo had called him “master of the profession“. He is often invited to appear on Czech radio (where he is called “a specialist on the soul“) and Czech television. He advises on psychology in various Czech magazines and newspapers.
Lubomír Soudek: during the 1970s a chief of Brno‘s Factory of Exact Engineering. Member of the KSČ. Director of Elitex in Liberec. Director of Federal Ministry of Mining, engineering, and electrotechnology. After 1990 became General Director of Škoda Plzeň, and owner of 1/5 of its stocks. In 1993 it came to light that during secret meetings with Iran‘s top military leaders, he not only offered tanks, armored vehicles, and rockets, but also nuclear components, usable for Iran's nuclear weapon program. The Czech Republic was then labeled an “unpredictable merchant with death“ by the New York Times
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Editorial was an istallation created for the specific gallery space in Kulnbach castle. It consisted of a quotation from a testimony, recounting historical details of the mass exodus of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia, organized by Czechs shortly after the end of World War II. The text was devided into short segments and installed in illuminated glass cabinets in the walls. The text segments spread throughout the whole exposition and it was not possible to read the text as a whole, creating various possible readings.
Bellow: Editorial, detail of one of the iluminated glass cabinets in the Gallery of castle Kulnbach. Opposite: Installation view of Uberlebens Kunst with Editorial from Pode Bal, 2000
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Installation project at the second showing of the exhibition Uberlebens Kunst, curated by Jiří and Jana Ševčík, Festival Mitte Europe, castle Kulnbach, Germany, October 2000
EDITORIAL
Citylights, installation view in the subway station Mustek above: Laugh, Cprint, text: “Do you also now have to laugh at the thought, that once you were afraid of what might happen to you because you had a high post in the communist regime?� opposite: The Mushroom Gatherer, Cprint
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Experimental project in public space of the underground metro station Můstek, Prague, 2000
CITY LIGHTS
Pode Bal rented one of Prague’s subway “city lights”, a common medium for commercial communication, and for the duration of two months installed various messages of its own. Alltogether there were nine Cprints installed with an email address attached to enable public reactions. This project was mainly conceived as an experiment, attempting to infiltrate the media saturated public space and compete with the host of everpresent advertisements.
Part of the video installation Pay Per View in Gallery NoD, Prague, 2001
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Exhibition project, video installation, gallery NOD, Prague, April 2001
Five videos were installed within the gallery space. Each video consisted of a still camera recording a particular space in a man’s appartment, i.e. kitchen, toilet, livingroom... A man in the appartment moved about, walking through the different videos, as if he was monitored by surveillance cameras. Most of his time was spent looking through his bedroom television directly at the gallery audience. The surroundings featured various loosely connected installations, objects and Cprint images, mixing intimate aspects with traces of bureaucracy and media realities.
PAY PER VIEW
Video installation Pay Per View in Gallery NoD, Prague, 2001
From left: Clipart, projection, 2001; Night tables, installation, 2001
From left: Hotel Room, 2 photographs, variable format, 2001; Database of Citizens, object 2001
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From left: detail of installation Night tables; part of the video installation Pay Per View, 2001
Installation view, gallery NoD
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Institutionalized Art, multiple; suitcase contains a brick cut into 2 parts, video, instruction text, special glue, cloths for cleaning glass; mixed media, 2005 Opposite: brick glued on to the central facade of the National Gallery, Collection of Modern Art by Pode Bal, 2002
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Guerrilla installation, entrance of the Collection of Modern Art, National Gallery, Prague, February 2002
INSTITUCIONALIZOVANÉ UMĚNÍ / INSTITUTIONALIZED ART
This guerrilla installation was a direct attack on the institution of the National Gallery, its politics of the time and especially its Director, Milan Knížák, who openly denounced any interest in the public’s view of “his” institution. A brick, split in two halves, was fixed onto the main front windowof the National Gallery in such a way as to create the illusion of it passing through the glass, half inside and half on the outside. One of the intentions was to force the institution to take legal action against Pode Bal. The National Gallery removed “its” half of the brick after a week. The outside “public” half remained attached to the window for over a year.
Frontal view of the central facade of the National Gallery with the brick installed, 2002
Press release, Pode Bal, March 2002 Visitors of the Czech National Gallery and people passing by its monumental Museum of Contemporary Art might for a moment think that their eyes are deceiving them. There seems to be a brick flying through the glass window front. But there is no sound of breaking glass and everything looks too still. The brick, that seems to be perpetually passing through the front glass barrier of the museum, was placed there by Pode Bal as part of the project “Institutionalized Art.“ The project reacts to recent politics of the National Gallery and its director Milan Knížák, who openly expresses contempt for any other opinion than his own. Pode Bal says: “We want to urge the management of the National Gallery to restrain from its arrogance and to stop ignoring the opinions of the public and especially of the professionals in the field. We appeal to the directors of this institution to promote open dialog even with those whose opinion may differ from that of Mr. Knížák. We’d like to remind everyone, that the National Gallery is a public institution, publicly funded for the benefit of all and not a house of services for a self-invited elite.“
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Members of Pode Bal installing the exterior half of the brick, facade of the National Gallery, February 2002.
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Installation view, Museo da Aqua, floating objects, text on lower wall, Cprint Dollar, Lisbon, 2002
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Installation project, part of a collective exhibition curated by Jiří and Jana Ševčík, Museo da Aqua, Lisbon, Portugal, May 2002
EXTRADICTION
The Installation was especially created for the unique space of Museo da Aqua in Lisbon which is situated in the space of a former water reservoir. Large scale yellow parcels were set afloat on the water surface, created in the style of “humanitarian daily rations” normaly containing food for civilians in occupied millitary zones. The parcels were labeled Fame, Faith, Hope, etc. These were accompanied by the message “Think local act global” on the lower wall and a Cprint “Dollar”above. Five videos featuring Czech women reading personal adverts for sexual services in phonetic Portugese were installed accross the water from the installation.
Dollar (detail) Cprint, variable size, 2002
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Extrtadiction, installation view, Museo da Aqua, Lisbon, 2002
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Video installation in Museo da Aqua consisted of five videos in which Czech women read adverts for sexual services. Real ads originated from a Czech personal advertisement newspaper. The ads were translated into Portuguese and the women read them phonetically, as they did not speak the language. The ads included authentic telephone numbers.
Zimmer Frei 02, Cprint, 120 x 70 cm, 2002 Opposite: police action against Pode Bal’s exterior installation
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Installation project and public space intervention, part of the international exhibition of political art Politik-um / New Angagement, Gallery and courtyard of Prague Castle, May 2002
ZIMMER FREI
Zimmer Frei was an installation exploring some aspects of post war deportation of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia and the enormous controversy and emotional charge these historical events retain into the present. In the gallery, Pode Bal installed photographs and information about devastated buildings from the border town Liberec that had been confiscated from the Suddetten Germans and that were owned by the Czech State. The same photos and information were printed on rubber baloons over a meter in diameter. These baloons were to be freely installed in the courtyard of the Prague Castle. Part of the installation in the courtyard was a large scale banner reading Zimmer Frei. Pode Bal’s project caused the Political Department of the Administration of Prague Castle to ban all exterior installations of the exhibition at the last moment. Pode Bal decided to carry out the installation regardless. The works were violently destroyed by the Czech Police shortly after its installation.
Top: Zimmer Frei 01, Cprint, 120 x 70 cm, 2002; bottom: Zimmer Frei Široká, Cprint, 120 x 70 cm, 2002
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Top: Zimmer Frei Bednรกล skรก, Cprint, 120 x 70 cm, 2002; below: Zimmer Frei Hrazenรก, Cprint, 120 x 70 cm, 2002
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Press release, Pode Bal, 5. 16. 2002
Pode Bal reacted to the act of censorship with a shrug and announced at the official press conference, that they are going
Center for contemporary art Prague organized an international
to install their work despite the Chancellor’s disagreement.
exhibition with cooperation of the Administration of Prague
The happening took place shortly after 5pm. The banner
Castle called Politik-um / New Angagement. The organizers
Zimmer Frei appeared above the Bull Staircase and in the
invited artists that are known to focus on political aspects in
courtyard artists dispatched twelve baloons of over a meter in
their work. Among many others, the artist group Pode Bal had
diameter. Each one bore the picture and address of a specific
been invited to take part of the exhibition with their project
building from Liberec, that had been owned by Czech
Zimmer Frei. This caused and unexpected happening at the
Germans before the post-war confiscations. Then something
Prague Castle.
strange happened. Members of the castle’s security attacked the rolling baloons and attempted in vain to force them
It was foreshadowed by excited correspondence between the
through the narrow doors leading to the offices of the castle.
curator of the exhibition Ludvík Hlaváček and the Chancellor of
Some of the visitors could not resist and joined the action and
the Presidential Office, Ivo Mathé. Mr. Mathé demanded that
played ball with the security men. The unscheduled match
Pode Bal’s project be excluded from the exhibition and
was finished in the moment when one of the tough guys got
eventually issued a ban on all exterior installations, stating that
an idea. He took out his little knife and jabbed the ball... When
the Prague Castle “serves as a destination for visitors from all
the commando succeeded in destroying their rubber enemies,
parts of the world equipped with unexpectable amounts of
they attacked the banner Zimmer Frei and brutally ripped it off
intolerance, as well as a work place for several hundred
the stone staircase.
people, supported by conservative and critical tax payers.” Why was the Chancellor concerned about the reactions of
The courtyard of the Prague Castle was once again ready to
foreigners promenading on the courtyard of the Prague Castle
accept intolerant visitors from abroad and welcome the
and Czech tax payers? The main theme in the project
conservative taxpayers. The next day the spokesman of the
presented by Pode Bal was one of the many “taboos” of
Prague Castle Ladislav Špaček reacted to the event in a
modern Czech society – deportation of the Sudetten Germans.
memorandum for the Czech Press Agency. He informed that the
The officials from the Castle probably forgot that artists are no
staircase had been damaged and the Castle demands
longer subject to the kind censorship of the State and their
reparations. The Castle’s security service will have to add a rather
work is not evaluated by functionaries anymore.
unusual expense to their account books: “restoration work”.
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Above: visualization of the project Zimmer Frei by Pode Bal, included by curators Ludvik HlavĂĄÄ?ek and Keiko Sei in the exhibition which provoked the Presidential Office to ban all exterior exhibits one week before the opening Opposite top: action taken after the ban of the Presidential Office, members of the group are installing onto the Bull Staircase of the castle Opposite bottom: detail of a baloon bearing a picture and address of one of the buildings confiscated from Germans living in Czechoslovakia during the ethnic cleansing of the aftermath of World War II, part of the Zimmer Frei project
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Above: security service employees, hired by the Presidential Office ripping Pode Bal’s banner from the Bull Staircase at the Prague Castle Opposite: stills from prime time television news documenting the police action against the installation Zimmer Frei by Pode Bal
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Hundreds of posters, picturing fictive people were posted by Pode Bal all around Prague. The people on the posters asked for financial support and stated their various motives. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses were included, so that the public could respond. The reactions were recorded.
Public space intervention and gallery installation, part of the international exhibition of political art Politik-um / New Engagement, Prague, May 2002
Please help! I am 28 years old with completed university education, from a good family, single, without children. My parents refused to support me. I am incapable of functioning in a world that I did not choose. The price for success is too high. I need a sponsor.
LIDÉ LIDEM / PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE
SlĂĄvek from the series People for People, Prague, 2002
Posters from the series People for People, Prague, 2002
Bottom row – poster texts: Please help! I am 28 years old and I am bound to a wheelchair. I’ve never been with a woman. Recently, I fell in love with someone and am afraid that my poverty will reppel her. I’m looking for a sponsor. Please help! I am 28 years old. I am tall and well built with a hobby in body adornment – tattoos. Because of my patriotic ideals I was releaved from work in the public sphere (security guard). I cannot afford requalification training. I need a sponsor. Please help! I am 28 years old. In my neighborhood I am the only citizen with black skin. A pigment treatment costing around $12000 is more than I can afford. I need a sponsor.
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Top row – poster texts: Please help! I am a child psychologist, married with two healthy children. I am 28 years old. My neighborhood is filled with blacks and immigrants. The nearest “clean“ area is too expensive and moving is the only sollution for the safety of my children. I need a sponsor. Please help! I am 28 years old. My wife has small breasts. In the company of other people I feel that our marriage is in danger. Plastic surgery, which I cannot afford, can still save our relationship. I need a sponsor. Please help! I am 28 years old, single, without children. I am a school teacher from Romania and would like to live at least one year with the same standards as my collegues in Western Europe. I need a sponsor.
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Crossdressing, event documentation, Prague, 2002
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Public space intervention, guerrilla installation, Memorial to the Victims of Communism, Prague, June 2002
CROSSDRESSING
The recently erected Memorial to the Victims of Communism is a large sculpture of bronze male figures on granite stairs. Pode Bal visited the memorial and dressed one of the bronze figures into women’s clothes and included a wig. Following the intervention, people that were present were asked to comment on the action. The discussions were recorded on video. The event came to its end with the arrival of two policemen, who disrobed the statue.
Object, public space intervention, guerrilla installation, event, Zítkovy sady, Prague, October 2002
VĚRNI ZŮSTANEME / FAITHFUL WE SHALL REMAIN
Faithfull We Shall Remain, event documentation, Prague, 2002
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At the time when all the Czech political parties officially agreed upon the sanctity of the Beneť decrees, Pode Bal unveiled a bust of Edvard Bene‰. The bust was made of plaster with a make-believe bronze coating and a Czech flag painted on its face in the style worn by soccer fans. The wooden piedestal was made to look like marble. The statue was placed in the middle of a small park in the center of Prague and was ceremoniously unveiled for the public to the sound of a female string quartet, performing a mixture of classical Czech composers from the 19th century. Members of the group then added a wreath in the colors of the state flag and left the park. The monument was removed after 11 days by the municipality of Prague 2.
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076 Stars, cover of fictive magazine, bound Cprints, 21 x 30 cm opposite: Magazine Stars at the exhibition in Ĺ ternberk Gallery
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Installation project, Municipal Gallery of Šternberk, Šternberk, Czech Republic, July 2003
STARS
Pode Bal visited several social care institutions, situated around the city of ·ternberk and photographed the people inside. Their portraits were exhibited in a local municipal gallery, together with pictures of cuddly animal toys (also found in the institutions). The second part of the exhibition consisted of a ficticious gutter press magazine called “Stars”. The faces of celebrities, whose lives are a constant theme for these tabloids, were replaced with faces of people from the institutions. The third part of the exhibition consisted of a video installation including a cage-bed and cuddly animals.
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Opposite top and above: photographs from the exhibition Stars in Gallery Ĺ ternberk, 40 x 40 cm, 2003 Opposite bottom: installation view, Gallery Ĺ ternberk, 2003
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Untitled, video installation, part of project Stars, video, mixed media, 2003 Installation view, Gallery Ĺ ternberk
Serial Sniper, public space installation, part of Billboart Gallery Europe, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2003
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Public space installation, Amsterdam, Bratislava, 2003 -- 2004
SERIAL SNIPER
Serial Sniper is an object reminiscent of public telescopes, comprised of a (non-functional) rifle, a sniper scope, massive metal base and a coin slot. It was first installed in public space in Amsterdam as a guerrilla installation, part of the tactical media festival Next 5 Minutes. It was also shown in Bratislava as a part of the Bilboart Gallery Europe project. Permission to install on a square in Bratislava’s center had been obtained. The installation was dismounted after one week on the Mayor’s orders. Serial Sniper was also scheduled to be installed in Linz, Austria, as a part of the exhibition and performance project Czech-in. On the day of the installation, however, the local police banned it for “technical reasons”.
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Serial Sniper, public space installation during the Next Five Minutes Festival, Amsterdam, 2003
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3D architectural simulation of Schwarzenbergplatz after the return of the Monument “Suffering of the 6th Army”, part of the exhibition Niemandsland, Künstlerhaus Vienna, Cprint, variable size, 2004 Below: one of the sketches for the architectural simulations Opposite: installation view, Niemandsland, Künstlerhaus Vienna, 2004
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Return of the memorial “Suffering of the 6th Army” to Vienna, Niemandsland, Künstlerhaus, Vienna, April -- June 2004 / Gallery Framework, Berlin, 2005
LEIDEN DER 6. ARMEE / DIALOG DER DENKMALER
.. In 1996, Austria unveiled a memorial to the 6th Wehrmacht Army near the city it tried to conquer – Stalingrad (now Volgograd). The monument, in the form of a 20 meter coroded iron thorn, was initialy to be erected in the center of Volgograd. After protests by Russian war veterans and the citizens of Volgograd, it was arranged to be placed 20 km away from the city, where it now stands. Pode Bal decided to propose returning the monument to the place of its origin – the center of Vienna. An urban-development project was created, including architectural plans and a visualization of the monument’s new placement: Schwarzenbergplatz, Vienna. This was introduced in the Künstlerhaus as part of the collective exhibition Niemandsland. The initiative was also communicated through the website of a fictive development company, where visitors could vote for or against the return of the monument. Pode Bal conducted video interviews with the former initiators of the Volgograd memorial, Helmut Zilk (former Mayor of Vienna), Wilhelm Holzbauer (architect and author of the steel thorn) and Josef Shantl (the general secretary of Schwartz Kreuz). A pannel discussion was organized in the Viennese Künstlerhaus, moderated by Jan Tábor, author of the exhibition Kunst und Diktaturen.
Above: public discussion in Künstlerhaus Vienna about the project Return of the Monument “Suffering of the 6th Army” initiated by Pode Bal Below: Pode Bal’s website of a fictive development company. Visitors could vote for erecting the Monument “Suffering of the 6th Army” in Vienna, 2004
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3D architectural simulation of Schwarzenbergplatz after the return of the monument “Suffering of the 6th Army”, exhibited in Künstlerhaus Vienna as a part of the exhibition Niemandsland, Cprint, variable size, 2004
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Installation view, gallery Framework, Berlin; video interview with the former Mayor of Vienna Helmut Zilk, who was asked by Pode Bal to support the return of the Monument “Suffering of the 6th Army” to Vienna, 2006 Below: exterior of the Framework gallery, during the exhibition Dialog der Denkmäler, 2005
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Video by Pode Bal: general secretary of the Schwarz Kreuz, Josef Schantl, speaks about the history of the monument “Suffering of the 6th Army”, erected near by the city of Volgograd and the intention of Pode Bal to move this memorial to Vienna, 2005
Video by Pode Bal: the Austrian architect, Wilhelm Holzbauer (author of the monument “Suffering of the 6th Army”) , speaks about the original monument’s history and Pode Bal’s intention to move it back to Vienna, 2006
Dialog der Denkmäler, Gallery Framework, Berlin, June – August 2005 Pode Bal’s exhibition Dialog der Denkmäler was linked to the project “Leiden der 6. Armee”, introduced in the Vienna Künstlerhaus. The original project was to include video interviews with Helmut Zilk, Wilhelm Holzbauer and Josef Shantl, stills from the official Schwarz Kreuz video about the unveiling of the Wehrmacht memorial near Volgograd, text and a model of the monument. Visitors were asked to fill in questionnaires about the political and aesthetic aspects of sellected Berlin monuments. Pode Bal also conducted a video interview with the initiator of the holocaust memorial, Jakob Shulze-Rhor.
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Installation view of Dialog der Denkm채ler, Gallery Framework, Berlin, 2005
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Opening of Dialog der Denkmäler, Gallery Framework, Berlin, 2005 (visitors are filling in questionnaires about the Berlin memorials)
Press Release, Pode Bal, June 2005 The Czech artist group Pode Bal is initiating the return of the Wehrmacht memorial from Volgograd back to Austria. The memorial was erected in 1996 by Austria on the outskirts of the Russian city Volgograd (former Stalingrad). After its return to Austria, the Wehrmacht memorial is intended to be placed in the centre of Vienna on the Schwarzenbergplatz accross from the “Russian Memorial”, built by the Soviets at the end of the Second World War. Pode Bal presented the project to the Austrian public one year ago in the Viennese Künstlerhaus at the exhibition Niemandsland and in the form of a public discussion. As part of the project, a website was created where the citizens of Vienna could express their views about the return of the memorial of the“Suffering of the 6th Army”. Pode Bal introduced the project to the author of the memorial, professor Wilhelm Holzbauer and to the former Mayor of Vienna Helmut Zilk, who had unveiled the memorial near Volgograd. Michal Šiml of Pode Bal commented on the effort: “We were extremely surprised that both of these men welcomed the idea of erecting the Wehrmacht memorial on Schwarzenbergplatz.” The video interviews became part of the Berlin exhibition in Gallery Framework. 093
Austria also suffered I, photograph, variable size, 2005
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Austria also suffered II, photograph, variable size, 2005
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Above and opposite: Garden (detail), polypropylene, wood, electronic motor, mixed media, 2004 Below left: installation view in the Palace Lucerna; below right: installation after the attack
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Installation in public space during the festival Dialog of Cultures, Prague, November 2004
ZAHRÁDKA / GARDEN
Pode Bal installed a kinetic sculpture “The Garden” during the festival Dialog of Cultures, organized by the Multicultural Center. The installation consisted of three garden gnomes on a rotating base powered by an electric motor. The gnomes had Caucasian, Asian and African physiognomy. During the festival, the sculpture was attacked by unknown individuals, who partially destroyed the Asian and African gnomes. The white gnome remained untouched.
Computer simulation of Pode Bal’s installation project on a bridge in Bolzano, 2006
Computer simulation of Pode Bal’s installation project for public space in Bolzano, 2006; Right and opposite: first ideas for the Eagle project, 2005
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European Academy EURAC to cooperate with the organization’s scientists on a project for the Italian city of Bolzano. Pode Bal decided to reflect the complicated Italian-German history of the city and came up with a concept for two installations for public space. The first installation was devised for a bridge connecting the German and Italian parts of Bolzano. The installation consisted of giant eggs which were to be placed on the pillars from where large sculptures of fascist eagles were removed after the Second World War. The second installation was also planned for public space. Silhouettes of Italian and German eagles were to be pasted on glass discussions, Bolzano’s Mayor expressed his dissaproval with Pode Bal’s installations and EURAC finally cancelled the whole project, officialy due to insufficient funds.
EAGLES
surfaces around the city. After a year of preparations and
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Project for the City of Bolzano, Italy, 2005 -- 2006 visualization of public space installation, refused by the Mayor in its final stages
In 2005, Pode Bal was one of five artists invited by the
Burka Nike (part of the series Converse), Cprint, variable size, 2005, installation view at the exhibition Ballk端nstler in Museum der Bildenden K端nste, Leipzig, Germany, 2006
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The project Converse consists of objects, photographs, video and performance. Objects, typically associated with Muslim cultures, were branded by famous western multinational companies for Muslim consumers. Part of the Converse project is a performance – presentation for
Exhibition project, introduced at the PragueBiennale2, Prague, 2005
CONVERSE
managers – entitled United Brands for World Peace.
Burka Nike (part of Converse), object, Cprint, variable sizes, 2005
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Ghutra Adidas (part of Converse), Cprint, variable sizes, 2005
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Turban Gore-Tex (part of Converse), object, mixed media, 2005 Opposite: Jambia Victorinox (part of Converse), object, mixed media, 2005
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Goat Adidas Roteiro (part of Converse), object, goat skin, acrylic paint, 2005 Opposite: Ghutra HermĂŠs (part of Converse), object, embroidery on textile, 2005
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Video documentation of Pode Bal’s performance United Brands for World Peace, prepared for managers of multinational companies in PowerPoint, 2006
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Unfinished painting with communist symbolism, still from a Czech TV report about the event near Charles Bridge, Prague, 2005 Below: members of Pode Bal at the police station, Prague, 2005
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Action in public space, vicinity of Charles Bridge, Prague, October 2005
In October 2005, members of Pode Bal painted symbols of the sickle and hammer and swastikas in public space near Charles Bridge. The action was interrupted by the Czech police and the paintings were confiscated. The agent of the police informed the members of Pode Bal that the paintings were going to be inspected by a legal expert in order to examine any possible violation of the law. In April 2006, the paintings containing communist symbols were returned as acceptable, while the ones containing swastikas were further detained. In September 2007, the police placed the investigation ad acta and returned the swastika paintings, refusing to provide any information about the final outcome of the case.
REACTION PAINTING
Pode Bal members Petr MotyÄ?ka and Michal Ĺ iml, painting Nazi symbols near Charles Bridge, still from a Czech TV report, Prague, 2005
Computer simulation of Pode Bal’s project for the second year of the Multicultural Festival, banned by the owner of the Lucerna Palace, Prague, 2005 Installation text: “I AM A CZECH COWARD, WHO LOOKED ON AS THEY LOADED THE JEWS, HAILED THE NAZIS, WAVED TO THE COMMUNISTS AND THEN WANTED THE SECURITY OF A TENFOLD” (“security of a tenfold” was a popular slogan of one of the privatization campaigns, resulting in massive “tunneling“ (asset stripping) of public trust funds in the early 1990s in the Czech Republic) Below: following the ban of the installation, members of Pode Bal decided to sell t-shirts containing the same message during the Multicultural Festival, Lucerna Palace, Prague 2005 Opposite: Members of Pode Bal wearing FlagelanT-shirts, 2005
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THEY LOADED THE JEWS, HAILED THE NAZIS, WAVED TO THE COMMUNISTS AND THEN WANTED THE SECURITY OF A TENFOLD.” Members of the group wore these t-shirts and offered them for sale during a night of Roma poetry reading, part of the festival Dialog of Cultures in Prague.
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Performance held during the 2nd year of the Festival Dialog of Cultures, Palace Lucerna, Prague, November 2005
“I AM A CZECH COWARD, WHO LOOKED ON WHEN
FLAGE LANT- SHIRTS
Pode Bal produced t-shirts with the following text:
Above: Jews in train, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 90 cm, 2005 Left below: Vatican priest and young boy, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 90 cm, 2005 Moslim on bus, acrylic on canvas 120 x 90 cm, 2005 Opposite above: Woman wiping dust in kitchen watched by gardener, acrylic on canvas 120 x 100 cm, 2006, Woman on pavement and her brother close by in car, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 100 cm, 2006 Opposite below: Girl with father in bathroom, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 100 cm, 2006
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Series of paintings, first shown in the C2C Gallery, Prague, 2006 and in the Polish gallery BWA Arsenal, Poznan, 2007
OBRAZY / PICTURES
Flagellants, installation view, Art Wall Gallery, Prague, 2006 opposite: František (part of the series Flagellants), photograph, variable size, 2006 (text on photograph: “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we signed the Anticharter. I will suffer for you.”)
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Exhibition in public space, Art Wall Gallery, Nábřeží kpt. Jaroše, Prague, May -- June 2006
FLAGELANTI / FLAGELLANTS
Project Flagellants was concieved for public space. The installation consisted of large-format photos of children at a busy road along the Vltava river in the center of Prague. The children were portrayed with signs around their necks, alluding to local historical traumas. Texs on the signs stated that the children want to suffer for these traumas. Pode Bal organized a flagellant march through the city, ending in the Gallery Hunt Kastner Artworks, where visitors could join in the suffering.
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Amálie (part of the series Flagellants), photograph, 2006 (text on photograph: “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we used to denounce each other during the Normalization. I will suffer for you.”) Opposite: Timur (part of the series Flagellants), photograph, 2006 (text on photograph: “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we have remained quiet about the persecutions of the 50’s. I will suffer for you.”)
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From left: Sára, Šimon, Boženka (part of the series Flagellants), photograph, 2006 (texts on photographs from left to right: “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we sent Gypsies into a concentration camp. I will suffer for you.” / “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we hailed Hitler during the Protectorate. I will suffer for you.” / “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we handed our weapons over to Hitler. I will suffer for you.” / “you don’t have to suffer anymore because we used to wave to Husák on the 1st of May. I will suffer for you.”)
Flagellants, performance, Hunt Kastner Gallery, Prague, 2006
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Josi (part of the series Flagellants), photograph, 2006
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Pode Bal sent out invitations for their exhibition “Lety”. Since the name “Lety” brings immediate associations to the former gipsy concentration camp in the location and Pode Bal implies “controversial art“ for most people, visitors could assume what was to be expected. All the promotional material was produced in order to raise these expectations. The exhibition itself, however, was comprised only of landscape paintings and drawings, created in Lety. Gallery Gambit, Prague, August 2006
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Open air painting, exhibition in Gallery Gambit, Prague, 2006
LETY
Invitation to the landscape painting exhibition Lety, 2006
Plush 01, Plush 02, objects, variable dimentions, 2005; introduced during the event Pode Bal Cuddles, KarlĂn Studios, 2006 Opposite: Meeting I, Meeting II, Cprints, 65 x 95 cm, 2003
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Separate works, shown in various contexts and group exhibitions, 1998 -- 2008
ÚČAST NA PROJEKTECH / PARTICIPATION ON PROJECTS
Slogans, 12 x Cprint on plastic, 26 x 18 cm each, 2006
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SHOAH速, installation, mixed media, 2008
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Over the Hills (part of the series Lada), acrylic on canvas, 90 x 120 cm, 2006
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Palach is Burning (part of the series Lada), acrylic on canvas, 90 x 120 cm, 2006
The Signing of the “Anticharter� (part of the series Lada), acrylic on canvas, 90 x 120 cm, 2006
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Mini, mixed media, 2006
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Best of Modernism, series, acrylic on canvas, various sizes, 2005
Michael and Diana, Cprint, variable size, 2005; installed at the 3d annual edition of the festival Dialog of Cultures, Prague, 2005
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Autumn, ink on paper, 34 x 48 cm each, 2006 (autoportraits with texts taken from news headlines about Pode Bal, i.e.: “I shock apathetic society” or “I don’t hesitate to cross taboos of political corectness”...)
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241 (two death masks of Jan Palach), plaster, acrylic, 27 x 14 cm each, 2006
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Sorry, part of the Emerging Wor(l)ds project, TINA B. – The Prague Contemporary Art Festival, billboard, 2007; text on bilboard: “We apologise for our behavior during Nazism”
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Press Release 23.12.2005
In the late afternoon on Saturday, Pode Bal visited Dialog of Cultures, a festival in Prague’s Lucerna. The group’s members examined their two works, lent to the festival for the occasion, gave an interview for Czech Television, enjoyed a display of folkloric dancing and together with other visitors of the festival tasted the multicultural soup. At 17:45, Pode Bal left the Dialog of Cultures.
Press Release 12. 23. 2005, mailing, photograph and text on paper, 2005
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Top Secret Report, computer reconstruction of the installation, information and waste, 2006
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1/ Mikhail Khodorkovsky Russian financial magnate. Khodorkovsky is currently imprisoned in Russia for financial fraud in connection with the company Jukos, which is linked with Menatep. Finances consigned to the bank accounts of Bank Menatep Gibraltar, which originate from the exploitation of oil and criminal activities, are legalized through these accounts (money laundering).
2/ Jiri Smejc In 1993 chairman and director of PUPP Consulting s.r.o. He joined TV NOVA in 1999 and since July 1999 he has been the General Director of Ceska produkcni 2000, a.s.; Jiri Smejc owns 34% of the stocks of TV NOVA, which he controls together with the PPF Group. He is one of the chairmen of CET 21, which owns the broadcasting license of TV NOVA. Because of the close relationship between Rebjonok, Smejc and Zach, BIS has considered the possibility that the Russian from Karlovy Vary is supplying funds to TV Nova.
3/ Ivan Zach Co-owner of TV Prima and a business partner of Alexander Rebjonok. According to detectives from the Bureau of Investigation of Organized Crime (ÚOOZ), Rebjonok channeled suspicious money into the Czech Republic. He got together with Ivan Zach in Karlovy Vary in the company Golf Resort. They were both on the board of directors for five years until 2000. The day when they left the company, Zach’s post was taken by Jiri Smejc, father of the magnate from TV NOVA. The current President, Vaclav Klaus, played tennis on a regular basis on the Gold Resort courts in Sporilov. Rebjonok’s name can also explain the long lasting explicit support which both TV channels have given to the President, as he has a very close relationship with the Russian businessman.
4/ Solncevskaja group Originally involved in traditional criminal activities. In 1992 it took control over the Russian Stock Bank (the biggest commercial bank) and a number of other financial institutions. Since 1994 it controls the Russian Public Prosecutor's Office. In the Czech Republic, ÚOOZ is concentrating on a case code named Antropoid, which is investigating murders in the Russian speaking criminal structure called Solncevskaja (for instance the action U HolubÛ in 1995), corruption in the state organs in connection with bio-fuels and other public contracts and
5/ Alexander Rebjonok Currently a citizen of Karlovarsko, he was provided with legal status by the KBG under this name as a resident of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic during the 1980s. He worked in the Karlovasko region before 1989 as a Soviet citizen. After 1989 Alexander Rebjonok joined forces with Ing. Jiri Milsky who privatized the Hotel Imperial in Karlovy Vary. Rebjonok made good use of his contacts with the countries of the Russian Federation. Large amounts of money started to flow into Karlovy Vary through different banks, roughly from the time when Vaclav Klaus said that he didn’t recognize any “dirty money”. Vaclav Klaus likes to stay at the Hotel Imperial that falls within Rebjonok’s influence. The current President has a rather close relationship with the Russian businessman. Secret services and special police units had been monitoring Rebjonok’s activities for almost ten years. Rebjonok’s name can also explain the
6/ V. Klaus drinking a toast with A. Rebjonok at the end of the skiing season.
7/ Petr Milsky, nephew of J. Milsky and a current representative of Rebjonok in the Hotel Imperial. Together with Rebjonok he privatized several hotels and other companies in the Karlovarsko region.
8/ Business group around Rebjonok gained control of several hotels (including, by proxy, the well known Grandhotel Pupp), bath houses, the porcelain business, invested in the construction industry and the stock market. Receptions for invited guests were organized in Hotel Imperial which were often attended by politicians, i.e. Vladimir Dlouhy. “It was clear that Rebjonok was building a network of very influential contacts,” recalls a detective from ÚOOZ. VACLAV KLAUS, who was the Prime Minister at that time, organized his work meetings in Hotel Imperial, where he often stayed (the“President lounge” Hotel Imperial).
9/ Tamara Janova Kotvalova, now Bendlova Business woman in the field of luxurious accessories and the wife of Petr Bendl. She was a contact of Kolacny. The Kotval family maintains strong relations with the Russian mining holding Lukoil (Vagit Alekperov) which has connections with Berezovsky, Khodorkovsky and Jukos. Several ex-officers of the Czechoslovak communist secret service are working in the satellite companies of Jukos, registered in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Bendl met Tamara Kotvalova through Kolacny at an event in the presence of citizens of the RF at which he initiated an amorous affair with her. Kotvalova – Bendlova bought a property in Lany for 40.000 USD from a resident of the former KGB in the Czech Republic, Mihajlo Kuckir, who is the commanding officer of Zdenek Kolacny.
10/ PETR BENDL, ing In 1990 he was a fireman of the regional fire unit in Kladno; 1990-92 chief of the division of the Office of Defence OkU Kladno; 1992 – 1994 chief of the division for development of the City of Kladno; 1994 – 1998 member of City Board of Kladno for ODS and Mayor of Kladno; 1997 – 1998, deputy chairman SMO CR; 1998 – 2001 M.P of SMO CR; M.P of PSP CR 1999 – 2001, member of the Parliament Group of Czech friends of the Russian Federation; from 2000 head of the Central Bohemian Region.
11/ Even before he got married to Tamara Kotvalova in Mauritius, Petr Bendl had moved into the luxury villa in Lany. This villa, valued at 1,2 million USD, stands on a plot of land that Kotvalova bought in CR for 40.000 USD from Kuckir, the resident of the former KGB who is the commanding officer of Zdenek Kolacny. On the same property is another villa owned by Tamara Kotvalova. Company: SENEKA, spol. s r.o. Location: Praha 5, Suchy Vrsek 2122, ZIP CODE 150 00; Indetification number: 636 66 804; Agent: Michajlo Kuckir, ID. 481017/952; Praha 5, Suchy Vrsek 2122, ZIP CODE 155 00 / photographs are from http://www.bydleni-lany.cz/ Real-estate companies Seneca co-owned with Michaj Kuckir.
12/ Zdenek Kolacny Adviser of Petr Bendl and a former officer of the Division for Counteracting the Russian Mafia of the Unit for Investigation of Organized Crime MV CR. Kolacny had completed his university education in Moscow and after being forced to leave from the Ministry of Interior, he woks as a security chief of the Administration of the State Material Reserves, a strategic state-run establishment which is charged with securing the energy supplies of the Czech Republic in case of war. He was offered this position by another of Bendl’s contacts: Jan Zizka.
13/ Mihajlo Kuckir, a KGB officer, was the 2nd secretary at the Soviet Embassy in Prague with legal status at the beginning of the 1990s. Kuskir is the commanding officer of Zdenek Kolacny for CR. During his studies in the USSR, Kolacny was asigned to collaborate with the KGB. After he left the diplomatic services of RF, Michail Kuckir settled down in CR at the address Suchy vrsek 2122, Praha, where he lives with his wife Natalia. Currently Kuckir works under the cover of business, he established a real estate firm called Seneca. This company owns several plots of land in Lany, for example, where the President of the Czech Rep., Klaus, has his summer residence.
13/ Administration of State Material Reserves Analytical commentary: ASMR is a state enterprise, strategically important for the war economics of the Czech Republic, which is an integral part of NATO. In this company Bendl installed his associates into strategic positions. This represents a security risk for the interests of NATO and can jeopardize the interests of USA.
14/ Jan Zizka Former Member of Parliament for CSSD, in the beginning of the 1990s, he was a member of the fire brigade and recruited Kolacny into the ASMR.
TAJNÁ ZPRÁVA / TOP SECRET REPORT
support, which both TV channels have given to Vaclav Klaus. The secret service BIS is warning of security risks that Alexander Rebjonok’s activities might cause to the Czech Republic.
Installation project, participation on a group exhibition Between Us Groups in the Municipal Gallery of Brno, Brno, 2006
events concerning the Land and Forests Fund of the Czech Republic.
Waste Pode Bal (PM), September 2006
rummaging through garbage cans in the suburbs, was not accepted by the courts. According to the defence, they lacked any right to dig around in private rubbish without
The present age is the age of waste. The incredible quantity of waste produced on a daily basis is the result of economic
search warrant. For this reason, garbage was later reevaluated as state property.
“wellbeing” of the “first world”. Euro-American civilization alone produces millions of tons of garbage everyday. This
To work with waste isn’t anything new in art, but since the
requires a sophisticated structure of waste processing,
time of Rauschenberg not only has the overall amount
which should, in accordance with the public’s good taste,
of garbage grown exponentialy, but above all, a new kind of
be done with utmost discretion.
waste surfaced: information waste. Almost everyone is now concerned with the study of waste. Media and private
Garbage has even become conspiratorial to a degree. In the
researchers are searching the Internet, various “found”
USA during the ‘90s, for example, garbage ceased to be
informational packages or messages that have accidentally
private property. Evidence found by undercover police
leaked from the information storage sites of our secretive
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Pode Bal in front of the installation Top Secret Report (during an interview with Frederico Diaz)
public institutions. It is only logical that the postindustrial era, which calls itself the era of information produces most of its garbage in the form of information. In the project Top Secret Report, Pode Bal works with common waste from the notorious dumps behind the city limits, as well as with garbage that has leaked from the police and political circles in the form of “secret� information: with waste lying around in the dumpsters of our informational society. Reconstruction of the randomly discovered and carefuly sellected components from all the available junk-piles is an attempt to produce a deliberate installation that would transform the found waste once more into some sensible structures, reflecting the littered organism of our society.
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Above: exterier of Hunt Kastner Artworks Gallery during the showing of Cover Art, Prague, 2007
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Installation project, interpretations of art works by famous western artists, Gallery Hunt Kastner Artworks, Prague, 2007
Opposite: Pode Bal paints Kippenberger (part of project Cover Art), Cprint poster, 30 x 42 cm, 2001 – 2007
COVER ART
Cover Art is a project based on a collective interpretation of selected art works from famous western artists by Pode Bal. The created compilation contains paintings, objects, performances, videos and multiples. For each interpreted work Pode Bal produced a CD-single containing a copy of the work in high resolution and a limited edition of posters. Special “art-videos” were produced for some of the favorite hits and the whole series was compiled on an album. The project started in 2001 and was finaly shown at the beginning of 2007 in Hunt Kastner Artworks Gallery in Prague and afterwards at the Tease Art Fair in Köln, Germany. After completing this project, Pode Bal announced its intention to cease with all original activities and continue its existence only as an interpretational collective.
Pode Bal paints Andy Warhol, Camouflage Painting, KarlĂn Studios, Prague, 2006 Below: installation view at the Hunt Kastner Artworks, video Pode Bal paints Andy Warhol, 2007
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Cover Art, installation view, Hunt Kastner Artworks, Prague, 2007
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Joseph Beuys, Sled (part of project Cover Art) object, mixed media, 2001 – 2007
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Martin Kippenberger, Untitled (part of project Cover Art) acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
Georg Baselitz, Les fuilles d’Olmo (part of project Cover Art), acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
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Andy Warhol, Camouflage Painting (part of project Cover Art), acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
Donald Baechler, Lux n. 2 (part of project Cover Art), acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
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Damien Hirst, LSD (part of project Cover Art), acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
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Yves Klein, Anthropometry (part of project Cover Art), quash print on canvas, 146 x 200 cm, 2001 – 2007
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Gerhard Richter, Townscape (part of project Cover Art), acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
Gary Hume, Cerith (part of project Cover Art), acrylic on canvas, 100 x 110 cm, 2001 – 2007
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Left to right: Pode Bal paints Damien Hirst, Pode Bal paints Georg Baselitz, Pode Bal paints Donald Baechler, Pode Bal paints Kippenberger, (part of project Cover Art) CD-singles containing high-res images of Pode Bal’s interpretations, 2001 – 2007
Left to right: Pode Bal paints Gerhard Richter, Pode Bal paints Gary Hume, (part of project Cover Art) Cprint posters, 30 x 42 cm, 2001 – 2007
Pode Bal interpreting Yves Klein’s Anthropometry from 1960. Performance during the opening at Hunt Kastner Artworks, Prague, January 2007
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Pode Bal does Joseph Beuys (part of project Cover Art) Cprint poster, 30 x 42 cm, 2001 – 2007
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The following section Briefs is a selection from an ongoing series of conceptual sketches for unrealized projects. At the same time, Briefs are in themselves finished works. They can be considered as documents, artefacts, or simply as instructions to be followed by anyone. The series started in 1998 and is partially inspired by Marcel Duchamp’s instructions for his Étant donnés.
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briefs Concept documentation of unrealized projects
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project documentation
The Prohibition of the Parliament February 1998
Václav Klaus (ODS – Civic Democratic Party) about the project “Some of my parliamentary colleagues consider this exhibition as a breakthrough in the direction of drug legalization. I don’t think so – I feel that this exhibition attracted attention of the
This project was drafted as a protest against the forthcoming
members of parliament. That’s fine, a piece of art should work
amendment of the “drug law” §187a. Pode Bal considered
this way.“
this amendment an infringement on civil liberties. The action
Reflex (March 12, 1998)
claimed that “prohibition is not a solution“. The posters were installed there during the week when the bill was in its
Pavel Severa (Christian Democratic Party / Peoples’ Party) about the project
third reading.
“I don’t think that the premises of the Parliament’s foyer should
created for the space of the House of Parliament and were
serve for lobbying for any groups in any sense or extent. That
Media about the project
is a space for art works and I don’t want to live up to the
A peculiar, even allegorical sensitivity to the freedom of speech
moment when some company will exhibit airplanes, guns, or
is demonstrated by the People’s party deputies who fight for
something in here (...) It is a place for paintings and statues.“
legislation enabling the arrest of drug consumers. This
Reflex (March 12, 1998)
Parliament-hosted exhibition expressing juxtaposed opinions has outraged them so much that they called for a parliamentary
Pode Bal about the project
commission and got the police involved.
The taboo subject of drugs was politically abused. An over-
One of the People’s party deputies, whose name appeared on
whelming majority of the public doesn’t know anything about
a poster saying that repression is a populist solution, has even
the problem but still the word “drugs“ sparks various
called the police and asked them to investigate whether the
psychosomatic reactions just like the word “devil“ once used
poster and its display isn’t against law. The exhibition will be
to. That is why most politicians stylize themselves into the
discussed in the following days when, besides the police, it
role of inquisitors, or uncompromising crusaders against
will be examined by a commission of parliamentary deputies.
drugs, while they know very well (or are not clever enough to
MF Dnes (February 11, 1998)
know) that similar efforts are not only useless but – as history has shown – have the opposite effect. Regardless of the fact
Pode Bal cut its artistic teeth with an exhibition in the foyer of
that the spent tax money and shouting of politicians will have
Parliament that sparked nationwide debate in February 1998.
a bad or no effect on the drug situation in the Czech Republic,
As a bill proposing hefty punishment for the possession of
one thing is for sure: there will always be people who say to
more than a small amount of illicit drugs was going into its
themselves: “This People’s Party is a bit slimy, but at least
third and final reading, the group presented a series
they will do away with the junkies“ And they will vote them.
of posters highlighting the weaknesses of the bill. It was
After some thought perhaps even the drug dealers will go
a baptism by fire for an art group that has since created
and vote for them too, as this amendment ensures them
a series of exhibitions commenting on hypocrisy in society -
a flourishing black market and higher prices.
a group that aims to spark discussion. The Prague Post (19. – 25. 1. 2000)
The amendment is mainly a populist move – a hypocritical lie with cream and a cherry on top. The Majority will swallow it with joy, without ever looking at the bill. We can really doubt the moral qualities of our politicians: either they unscrupulously lie or they are so weak-minded to believe that
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an approach that has never worked anywhere will succeed in our country. In the first case it might seem that these people don’t care if their voters do drugs, as long as they vote for
Larger Amount of State Drugs October 1999
them. In the second case commentary is needless. We simply feel conned. This problem touches all of us
The exhibition manipulated advertisements for legal drugs,
whether we take drugs or not, it directly limits our freedom in
changing them so they promoted illegal ones. A play on
this decision. We don’t acknowledge that a pack of ambitious
words is essential to the message. Absurd juxtaposition and
morons we support from our taxes can tell us what we can
irony aim to shock an apathetic public into seeing how state
and cannot consume. We don’t want to empower the police
drugs are pushed. For example, a well-known whiskey ad
to be able to find things “in the amount of greater than small”
features the legend “the only risk is not to try it.” Pode Bal
in the pockets of troublesome people.
subvert the ad, replacing the original image with one of a woman snorting cocaine.
Unfortunately we couldn’t expect our exposition to have a big
(The Prague Post 6. – 12. 10. 1999)
influence of on the course of decision-making but we tried our best and that is a responsibility we feel towards the
Larger Amount of State drugs (official invitation text)
problems around us. Our goal in this case was mainly to fuel the dialogue about this problem and to express our support to
The state power has since 1999 started forbidding some
the professionals, as they should be dealing with the
drugs and recommending others. Nothing new under the sun.
country’s drug situation – and not populists, crackpots and smart-asses like Severa, Vacek, Matulka, Borník, Tomášek and
Legal drug dealers are respected people, they are privileged
the like.
by the leading politicians and agents of these State Drugs (StD) which certainly has a positive influence on our economy. In simple words: the StD agents are doing away with the competition for the StD dealers, who advertise and sell their duty stamped junk. To ensure a good market, advertisements are placed all around the country, persuading citizens to take state drugs. The ads mainly show beautiful and enviable young people consuming a certain brand of StD and it is implicitly obvious that this is why they are so attractive. The fact that advertisements show beautiful and healthy people in connection with alcohol and cigarettes which kill TENS OF THOUSANDS of people every year, is taken for granted and publicly acceptable. If such young and good looking people were depicted taking cocaine or marihuana which kill maybe one person a year in the whole country – that would be outrageous and publicly absolutely unacceptable. Therefore – Pode Bal invites you to take a larger amount of State Drugs!
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TGM Chicken July 1999 (PM)
because of what happened decades ago but because of our
Our intent was to express – with help of images and their
the atrocities and the Benes decrees are therefore sacred for
installation – a specific feature of the Czech person. Of course
the ruling “elite“.
present-day approach to those events. In the recent opinion polls nearly ¾ of the population supported the justification of
one could write whole books about these things and thus any verbal explanation will be inadequate at least. Unlike the
The cottage therapy
written word a piece of art sums up the expressivity of
But our nation will not linger in xenophobic hysteria for long,
pictures (the allegory of the Czech average in the form of the
all our neurosis have a cure: pottering at our cottages. This
reproductions from the communist “normalization”
symbol wasn’t chosen as a specific phenomena, it merely
magazines), metaphor (Masaryk was as a symbol destroyed
objectifies the irresponsibility. It is one of the comic forms of
and devaluated for the means of quick national satisfaction)
the not so comic escape from reality and thus from
and the written word (authentic statements of individuals who
responsibility for the great wrongs we support by being
experienced the post-war resettlement of Germans and
inactive (which are the original words of Jan Hus). The images
Hungarians). The mentioned parts of the project TGM Chicken
of Czechs from the normalization magazine Vlasta are still
are independent and compact. And maybe even a bit solitary.
relevant as they represent not only the 1970s, but also
With the help of their grouping they create a whole which
present day. Almost, that is: the difference is that while we
is more than a picture, it is a reality which can be understood
are still the depleted totalitarian cottage do-it-yourselfers, we
only through experience.
like to appear as successful citizens of western society. (The word appear is important here as our understanding of the
The atmosphere of the installation gave many a feeling that
First world does not permeate the admired surface.) Absurdly
could be experienced visiting a freak-show. The live exhibits
this shows our small-mindedness, carefully brightened with
living their own deranged lives, displaying their deformations
our own attractive image of ourselves.
with perverted joy. Through them (a resemblance of what we know) and the strange intimacy of direct light, we could be
But every light casts a shadow
entertained and frightened at the same time. Thus it is
We adopted the glitter of the consumer and “democratic“
possible to view certain (not only) Czech phenomena in history
society, but we are unwilling to adopt the responsibility which
and the present. On one hand we are funny and amusing and
justifies such status. The Czech definition of democracy is
on the other we are scary.
unique in one way: it doesn’t include responsibility. But responsibility is not a voluntary accessory like the passenger
A wider tendency in our society strongly hints of opportunism
seat airbag in your new Mercedes. It is no wonder that this
and results in reluctance to claim responsibility. We like to
light made our shadows more evident. One of them, in the
appear likable and clever and we like to find Czech genius
darkness behind the enlightened cottage dwellers, are
behind all big things. At the present moment we like to
post-war crimes which cannot be taken back but can be faced
appear “Western“ and get rich in a quick and easy way – but
and defined. But this is an irritating option and when
without responsibility and preferably by fraud. Our historical
confronted, it is always possible to refer to the Indisputable
conscience is not very clear and in all our pettiness, in one
Results of the War (in the words of Milos Zeman, prime
thing we are consistent: we tend to suppress it into the
minister at the time).
shadows. That’s where there is unity: in hysterical xenophobia and desperate defense of our small (and big as well) indulgences so typical for the Czech Nation. As one of the dark moments we can take the World War II aftermath. Not
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TGM – the mascot of Czech greatness (TGM is short for Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the founding father and first president of Czechoslovakia – translator’s note)
The main motif of the installation is the central stall TGM
can be applied well to our beaming cottage potters. They are
chicken. That’s where all the enlightened cottagers look to,
standing there in a circle around their (misunderstood)
where they are headed, leaving their shadows behind. The
goulash of the “western society“ and “culture and tradition“
stall is built in the spirit of the well known global consumerist
as hypnotized rabbits and in the general glamour remains
temple – the chicken buffet KFC. In this case it is by no
a thin thread of malevolence behind them – inconspicuous but
means about KFC. It is an illustration of the “Czech path“
visible – annoying with its call for responsibility.
paved by the local permutation of selective freedom and decorated with billboards advertising “democratic society.“
A note to the installation: at the entrance to the gallery there
It shows the bright surface of what we understand to be
are three girls smiling nicely from various exhibits. A few
“western“ – but not at the expense of our identity (we will
steps later everything seems trivial and positive. On the left is
not be Germanized, Americanized, etc.) We are Czechs! We
a portrait of a funny but happy mushroom-picker and a parody
have our national pride and our culture and tradition. In our
of KFC seems playful and superficial. Behind her is a text:
confused fervor for both (“western“ ideals and “our“ ways),
“After cleaning the heads...“ – probably a show about picking
we fail to understand either of them anymore. Thus we
mushrooms.
ridicule ourselves as well as our own traditions, devaluating them to a point of becoming a part of a virtual world in which we live more and more confusedly. TGM is always voted “Czech of the century“. Interestingly most of those who opt for TGM don’t know anything about him. They decide so because it is the reliable and popular choice. TGM had been reduced to a mascot of Czech Greatness. Perhaps in the undercurrent of this mass agreement is a hidden fear that he was just too cosmopolitan for a Czech (i.e. incomprehensible) and our latter day confounded love for the Founding Father is just a subconscious effort to restitute what has surpassed us long ago. That is why TGM must be reduced to a mere symbol. In his more authentic form he would present a far too unpleasant challenge for the Czech opportunism and would become uncomfortable (in the way of the Jerzy Kosinski’s “painted bird“) just like Václav Havel in the present day. In this symbolical form, TGM is reduced to the level of advertisements for “satisfaction guaranteed” consumer products which are best embraced by the example of the fast food of i.e. Kentucky Fried Chicken. The western limelight and glitter of something called “tradition and culture“ reduced to gestures and poses (and thus misunderstood) feeds our national pride (xenophobia) and creates a reality which is too abstract to build on. What remains is just the space for demagogy and dogmatism which 181 181
Malík Urvi / GEN – Gallery of Established Nomenclature January 2000
Opening speech at the exhibition, / Ivan Medek, January 5, 2000 This exhibition is not only about these few randomly chosen
(“Malík Urvi” is a pun meaning literally Tear Off the Little
samples. It’s about all of us, about our incapability to get our
Finger and implying Little Whores)
own society straight. The fact that these are just “randomly chosen samples” is important. If we wanted to describe these problems in detail, the space would have to be much bigger and full of many thousands of tiny pictures. But then it wouldn’t be an artist's issue, anymore. A quick glance at these exhibits makes it clear that we have to distinguish, to know that there are people among us who behaved indecently in the past but have come to realize that and now are trying to make amends. And at the same time there are those who always behaved badly, never admitted it and continue to go on in that way. Sometimes I feel like most people don’t care about this. As if that was not important. Therefore I’m glad that the people who prepared this exhibition are not indifferent and I would be happy if no one was indifferent in this country.
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Exhibition text / Jana and Jifií ·evãík, 1. 5. 2000
chosen power positions including data from available and disclosed sources. The artists used a non-theatrical documentary language of the technically reproduced image
If we were to describe the feeling we had after seeing the
and message. That is nothing new, we can see similar picture
already realized project GEN for the first time we would have
and language information commonly in the newspaper and it
to purvey the inner tension which one feels when frightened
leaves us unmoved. There, pictures function as advertisements
or before having to make an important decision, when one
for cigarettes with an absurd warning that smoking is harmful.
must tell the truth. This tension hasn’t left us since then and
But Pode Bal lifted the trivial media picture of power into the
it forces us to make a certain kind of archaeology of the
level of a visual art message and moved it into a different
everyday and “cultural situations“ of the past regime.
context – into the sacred space of exhibition halls. In there
We would probably to recall the deeper experiences with art
the dangerous charge – carried on the vehicle of graphic
which make us think of one important question: whether art
media – found itself in a space giving it a more general
is innocent and harmless or whether it really is an effective
validity. We have to respect that the political topic is a reality
force which can bring about change. In other words, the issue
as any other, just like a cup in a still life, a landscape or
is about the concept of art itself. We consider it important in
a figure, which an art work can use for its own ends and we
the time when – in our opinion – the ability of art to be an
suddenly perceive them in a different context where we must
effective resistance power became dwarfed, when its
deal with our own moral decisions, to deal with the fact that
freedom is seen in its somehow enigmatic groundlessness
our values are destabilized, to deal with the chaos and inner
or when it resorts to moral responsibility to itself only.
tension, and take a stand in a different way than in front of
This opens a wide space of freedom for any formal experiment
media pictures in newspapers. I think that the Pode Bal
and art at the same time is given a protected, upholstered
project is suddenly dangerous because it is art, and not
and isolated sphere where it’s possible to admit anything
politics, because it invaded the sacred space of the Gallery,
because it is only art.
and thus, paradoxically, as a consequence began to function in the real political space.
Still affairs and conflicts between art and reality repeat from time to time, where suddenly the unrestrained power of art
As we already stated, society usually reacts to such art by
breaks through and forces the society (representatives of
trying to eliminate it, for example by declaring the innocent art
institutions) to act, to censor or to push art outside of real
untouchable and saying that it is just a fictitious reality which
relationships. Art is traditionally eliminated by labeling its
cannot cause anything. Or it gets labeled as non-art and
controversial displays as non-art, wherefore accountable to
excluded from the sacred spaces and from society which it in
a different regime and punishable by law. The power of social
fact destabilizes. We will see how our public deals with this.
institutions is, however, usually applied through tacit agreement of a ban, restriction on exhibiting, censorship, and so on.
Pode Bal has once again entered dangerous grounds and it must be acknowledged, that it fills a precarious gap in our art
We can recall the affair of Hans Haacke whose exhibition in
– the group makes art as critical social practice, and not as
Guggenheim was banned by the director Thomas Messer
the creation of sacred products. Their projects, with
in 1971, with the explanation that it is not art, but politics,
a remarkable consistency and in a very short time, develop
belonging elsewhere than the sacred space of a gallery.
uncastrated and undifused art.
Haacke did a very laborious and factual passportization under the photographs of apartment houses which a real estate company speculated with – and discovered unpleasant power relationships. Pode Bal also did a passportization of randomly
183
The rejection of Pode Bal’s project Malík Urvi in the National Gallery, 7. 30. 1999 (first page of the letter)
Opposite: “Grégr had ‘argued out’ his portrait among the Communist protégés” (front page of Lidove Noviny, January 13, 2000 A flood of legal suits will probably bring on the Prague exhibition “Malík Urvi“, in which the art group Pode Bal introduces portraits of Communist officials and Secret Police collaborators. Other than the visitors the action called attention in political circles as well. One of the first to demand an apology is the Minister of Industry, Miroslav Grégr. Another protest can be expected form the Minister Jan Kavan, others are heard as well. The exhibition in the Špála gallery showcases large-size rastered photos with faces and CVs of people who according to the artists discredited themselves in the totalitarian regime and still figure in the public life of today or hold important functions. Side by side we can therefore see ministers, policemen, politicians from the pre-revolutionary Communist party and from the present day political parties. The highest post which retorted against the exhibition was the ministry of Industry and Trade, Miroslav Grégr. He asked for an apology for his name being mentioned in the press materials of the exhibition. But probably he will be even more disgraced. Originally his portrait should have been a part of the show but the artists didn’t include it at the last moment, for the lack of space. The reaction of the artists is coming soon and it will be unambiguous. From Friday his picture will not be missing in the gallery.
Dear colleagues,
activity and we supposed that this will be done by you or your possible cooperators.
I am writing in regards to our discussion about the possibility to make an exhibition of your project in Veletržní palác.
Your list of people and their transgressions are also deeds of a very unbalanced nature from really contemptible to completely petty and hard to prove.
I must say that even after our personal conversation about how you will disclose the information and documents to your project our notion didn’t get much clearer. You didn’t give us the most important facts – the primary sources and the verifiable authenticity of the information you wanted to use in your surely meritable intention.
Despite these objections I presented the materials you gave us - with the necessary commentary to my colleagues – specialists at a staff meeting of the Collection of modern and contemporary art as well as to the management of the National Gallery in Prague at a board meeting.
The level of information from your side remained at the same point, the statement that the given facts were mentioned in a certain daily newspaper of a certain date is not sufficient for us. Presentation of similar intentions must be approached with an indisputable assumed impact and effect, which can not be questioned or legally unsafe from the point of the persons affected.
The opinions with respect to your project changed very much – starting with consent and enthusiasm to displays of clear rejection. Generally, to summarize, the overall feeling is negative.
This was not ensured even in the legal findings of your expert. We think that the gravity of the mentioned statements needs serious and verifiable basis or a formulation which will exclude any possibility of confrontation. If that is not the case, it is just repeating of reports already published which went through the press with bigger or lesser response. We are not able to take on such investigative
184
The experimental and provocative principle of your work is generally acceptable and we consider it an interesting extension of the limits of art. Still we think that in the contemporary art there are many other interesting methods and approaches and many of them haven’t been evaluated and placed into a wider context and presented to the public. In this context this is not only our own capacity in the financial or specialist sources but also the fact that the National Gallery must work with the whole breadth of the art evolution and can’t... (...)
Malík Urvi / a media game with the minister of industry (PM)
minister of industry Miroslav Grégr. But the exhibit itself actually didn’t contain his portrait and when asked about this by the media, we said that there simply wasn’t any more
Before the opening of the exhibition, we were afraid of one
room. Shortly after this we received a phone call from
thing especially: total lack of interest. The project was
Mr. Nesrsta, the minister’s chief secretary, who demanded
therefore supported by a small ad campaign in the local tram
we correct the situation and publicly apologize. Our reaction
lines as well as with an attempted media event.
was that we are sorry, we regret it and we will set everything
The consequences of the latter collided with hard reality and
right: we will include Grégr’s portrait in the exhibition, as he
caused the Gallery of Václav Špála to lose its general sponsor,
demands. This comic story happened with (a necessarily
the Budweiser Brewery, which was not a part of the plan...
stimulated) interest of the media and on the following day, Lidové Noviny (a major daily newspaper), published an article
A day before the opening of the exhibition on January 5, 2000
on the front page with the headline: “Grégr had ‘wrangled
we sent out a press release stating that the exhibition will
out’ his portrait among the communist protégés“. This
show various public persons, among which we listed the
motivated the minister to call Budweiser...
185
A legend about KSâ and StB / Petr Rezek
the Špála gallery is via the problem of a notice board: please don’t mix this problem with the false problem of Havel’s grocer – who is, according to Havel, afraid. A notice board or bulletin
(KSČ – the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia had absolute
board – without mention of fear – is stating mainly as a surface,
power during the totalitarian era; StB – the communist secret
today and before alike. It is a surface for statements. It tells us
police; translator’s note)
about the next meeting, when is the ball, who didn’t pay the member’s fee, who died. This surface sometimes shows
On January 5th in the Špála Gallery, the art group PODE BAL
photographs (from the ball, the vacation trip).
opened an exhibition called “Malík Urvi“ (with a subtitle “Gen – Gallery of Established Nomenclature“). Large-size rastered
Newspaper is nothing else than such a notice board of many
photos depict randomly chosen former members and officials
pages. There are printed messages, answers, forecasts, warn-
of the KSČ and collaborators of the StB who can be seen to
ings, manuals, advertisements, photos from balls, trips and
this day in Czech public life and in media.
meetings. Newspapers are portable notice boards – and a notice board with glass window is a display case.
The exposition of PODE BAL would be more mysterious and
Portable computers are a comeback to glass display cases.
the exhibited portraits wouldn’t be legends – in all the senses
It is not important, of course, if the display window is an open-
of this word – if the photos weren’t provided with captions.
able wooden box (at home we call such a wooden box without
A code name from the Secret Police should be enough, unless
a door TV). Important to understand a notice board or a display
we are missing something analogous found in Warhol’s pic-
case is the fact that breaking the window doesn’t change the
tures of wanted men (the difference is that we are not looking
notice board on the wall. That is because of the frame – or the
for these men – and one woman – we simply have them).
border between the wall and the notice board. A poster posted
There is a certain analogy of prisoner numbers, however sorting
directly on the wall is not a notice board; an advertising space
and orientation are possible, each photo has a number, for
designated for posting bills is – as it is framed and therefore
example GEN No. 0000010006 (under this number in the exhib-
“formatted“. Again we can see a parallel with the newspaper.
it we will find Rudolf Kotal). But Warhol’s men were on the
Of course one can also have an electronic “newspaper“ but
loose. Our men (and one woman) are not at large – some even
these also have a format. A format of a newspaper is a matrix
picked up their phones. Warhol, as we know, wanted to estab-
into which everything that makes up its content must fit –
lish and demonstrate (even to himself) his distance from these
while posting things up on a wall or a fence is not so limited
delicate social issues. Even his “wanted men“ were to docu-
as you can simply paste new posters over the old ones.
ment Warhol’s cold distance which should keep him away from
Newspaper doesn’t seize the space like a poster on a wall,
the urgency of reality which Warhol as an oversensitive person
it divides the space. A battle fought on the space of a display
got along with badly. He managed to disturb us with his
window or a newspaper has its „format“, is directed, placed –
pictures by showing us our own disassociation. The members
we can perfectly distinguish between the world and the mes-
of the PODE BAL group state on every one of the portraits:
sage. Warhol created his pictures of the wanted people from
“randomly chosen sample“ – so they wanted to be objective
the ads posted – probably anywhere. On notice boards, bar
and unbiased just like Warhol. Does that mean that the members
doors, in newspapers. Our possible uncertainty of what kind of
of the group are irritated by something, that they hate some-
messages they were was clarified positively by Warhol, who
thing? The title of the exhibition says that: Malík Urvi. That they
made the poster an oeuvre by exhibiting it in the “format of
would rip off the finger? Only? Is their exhibition a provocation,
the gallery”. The same can be seen in the work of PODE BAL.
is it art fighting? Lets look at the artistic level of these works
In other projects they created posters which could be put up
before judging the struggle. The struggling art and the stating
anywhere. Even from the captions of their last exhibition it is
art are depictive. The best way of approaching the exhibition in
possible to make posters, but for now that is not so.
186
Photos in newspapers are usually perfect pictures, the states-
which is in the enlarged photograph as the main legend from
men on them look better than in reality, you even feel like you
the cited source. In our chosen case of Oskar Krejčí we can
want to have your pictures taken by those great photographers
read: “during the former regime, he was an adviser of the
as charming and ever-young globetrotters of an uneasy life.
Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec. Recruited by StB first as an
But sometimes when the conditions for taking photos are not
informer, later in the category Resident (“Oskar“, “Kaláb“).
so great, one can find other pictures in newspapers. Photos of
In the ‘90s a member of ČSSD.“ How should we understand
assassinations and gunfights don’t always have the right light,
this text mentioned along with the head in a circle and
the angle is not always ideal, the shot cannot be planned.
a technical caption: “The direction of the look explained in the
And those who manage to get a great picture from the fight
enclosed photo“ and “Suppressed contour of lower jaw“?
will be suspected of staging the photograph – and what is more important – will have a hard time to prove otherwise.
The geometrical and other captions hint that there can be any
Meanwhile a photograph that is a little out of focus, less
amount of diagrams descriptions added (distance, shape dia-
descriptive and more unclear will evoke a feeling of authentici-
grams, labeling parts of the face or clothes – these data are
ty. As if PODE BAL built on this fact. In many cases they could
not from quoted sources as the weekly magazine Respekt
surely find very good photos from the Czech Press Office and
doesn’t consider important to specify that the depicted politi-
other sources (surely in the case of Marián Čalfa). But they,
cian is not naked or that his mustache is not unkempt).
in their randomly chosen samples (without defining the group
The major general Oskar Marek, just next to the entrance
they were randomly choosing from), deliberately chose from
of the gallery, is really a bit over-geometricized. In some cases
media that they used as their information sources. Mainly
the faces start to disappear under geometric of quasi-anthropo-
newspapers. The process is evident in the case of a “random-
metric data which seem to be random or randomly chosen.
ly chosen sample“ of Oskar Krejčí, GEN No. 00002148.
Therefore we can ask if the choice of the captions from men-
His “portrait” is the only case where the original photo, from
tioned sources is also not as arbitrary or “random“. One could
which the cut was made, is included. Krejčí is standing behind
expect that in the work of Marcel Duchamp admirers who
Adamec on a well known photograph from a meeting of Havel
called their group after the text of his telegram. About the
and Adamec. His head is on a small reproduction circled and
given individualities on the often unclear photos we could
enlarged with the technique of electrostatic transfer to the
write anything – according to the principle of a random choice
format of 100 x 120 cm with the preservation of the original
– but of course from various sources other than Respekt, e.g.
raster. Once you have read all the legends on the enlarged
the magazine Vlasta (“The father of two children, lives in the
photo and are trying to understand them as a whole, with the
country, breeds pigeons“).
expression and so on, you can also concentrate on an artistic modification which is done in the style of technical drawings.
The touch of the technical captions in the picture levels out
Some have inscribed diagrams which e.g. copy the ellipse of
the image material which was usually shaped by a criminalist
the head and include captions referring to the geometric figure
or journalist method. It is unimportant if the legend under the
in connection with the area of the photograph, e.g. “approxi-
disclosed photo reads “Assassin in the last moment before
mate radius of the ellipse“ or simply a vector between two
the explosion“ or “Princess X on the beach with the singer Y“.
spots labeled “427 mm“. The second type of captions
We have entered the dark domain where only blurred stains
describe the more or less clear parts of the portrait – “beard“,
stand for reality and we can only imagine, try to empathize
“clean shaved chin“, “dioptric glasses“, (in the portrait of captain
or turn away with disgust. The performance of the group is
Minařík, it is hard to explain the “videocassette nagasaki“).
therefore ambiguous and thus interesting. Still it evokes fear.
The third kind of captions state exact distances: “distance
A fear of sponsors who didn’t want to be named, a fear which
between the mouth and the finger“. The technical captions –
was in the air during the opening. Horror societatis. If the
in my opinion – do not serve to ridicule, but explain the text
artists showed exact photographs from ID cards we could
187
expect a criminalistic description. But at the same time, they
munity this could be solved by a barroom brawl. But try to
point to the reality of the quoted messages. From these only
punch a photo. The arbitrariness of the pictures is protected
words are true. The image, if we look closer, or if we enlarge it
because it is unreachable – and if, then only through media
enough, becomes only a blur. Without the captions one cannot
again. A shock? Try to shock the TV, try to shock the newspaper.
identify some of the blurs. Just as without knowing the evan-
Try to drive off the secret police with a radio! And on the walls
gelia you cannot understand some of the situations and figures
of the Špála Gallery there are also smiling girls with puckered
in the paintings from the Middle Ages. But you can see the
lips, a happy couple in front of a reproduction of Van Gogh
expression of pain, joyous closeness and suspicious distance
with a glass of Champagne. But this all is just a different look
in the picture without knowing legends or stories. A blur is in
at our politicians – one wouldn’t recognize them, they even
its uncertainty fascinating – whether a princess or an informer.
change their sex. That is when they are shot in color in the
But how to read blurs? By identifying them with known shapes,
moments of joy. What can come out of joy is what the exhibi-
ideally geometric figures. These allow us some orientation.
tion shows us as well. Who can save himself?
Where we don’t know, a “red wedge“ can help or a simple “mustache“ – these are examples of some of the captions
Our visit at the gallery is accompanied by laughter. It comes
from the portraits. This is shown with a commentary, with
from loudspeakers, not from the pictures, and you can hear it
a title, a reference, etc. A similar function is fulfilled by the
with short pauses – we know it from TV series, one can hear
inscription “StB Major (official identification number 189893;
it whenever there is a supposed joke. If you stay longer, you
5th section -- culture, health service)“. The exact information is
will find out that the sequence is repeated but this doesn’t
not there to help us return the card to the original owner – this
calm one down, it merely scares you. The laughing sometimes
information is not for us as much as for the depicted person.
rises up to insanity. Who is laughing there? Is it a cynical
But the exactness of the service card number is similar to the
laugh of those in the pictures or of the wheel of the history?
exactness of the vector distance “427 mm“, which is not from
We are leaving the exhibition with this question. They keep
a quoted source.
hanging there. Among the randomly chosen samples two foreigners sneaked in, by circumstance and in contrast to the
It is simply one of the measures of the display window or a
Czech protagonists legally punished: Maurice Papon (in 1998
notice board. In a smaller notice board, as a newspaper, it will
sentenced for 10 years) and Egon Krenz (in 1997 sentenced for
be smaller, which guarantees exactness. The most important
6.5 years). This even strengthens the question about the ran-
thing is the use of the source of the pictured facts, enlarged
domness of choice. And two more remarks: In Lidové noviny
by the above-mentioned method: the source is the newspaper.
(January 8) Emanuel Mandler pointed to the exhibition; he says
Shadows and blurs can be joined with an exact description
about his visit: “As if that was all our environment and of our
(service card number, data of working in certain organizations,
society.“ And we have to add: this is a picture of the environ-
code names). The blurriness and vagueness of many portraits
ment,
enable their non-identifiability and their ambiguous mixing (left-
a picture that has already been formatted. Mandler also says
ist to rightist). If we had unfocused shots of dissidents in the
what can be experienced: “A paradox between a law classifying
exhibition, e.g. showing them come out of the house of a dis-
the communist regime as criminal and the present day high
sident X, then this uncertainty (completed by a perfect police
positions of people who supported this regime actively.“
description) wouldn’t scare us (and probably it wouldn’t fright-
Again we must complete this surely correct formulation:
en the former secret policemen). Why? The fear would be dif-
it is a picture of a paradox. And of course the formate of fighting
ferent (they knew everything, watched our every step). And
spirit must be added by ourselves.
why we are not frightened by unfocused shots from the
In a speech which is enclosed in photocopies for the visitors
“celebrity tabloids“ (the already mentioned princess X on the
Ivan Medek says: “If we wanted to describe these problems
beach), why are we interested in them? In this difference lies
in detail, the space would have to be much bigger and full of
the answer. Our interest in the privacy of something we can
many thousands of tiny pictures. But then it wouldn’t be an
never reach is exciting. However, fear that our privacy is reach-
artists issue, anymore.“ In my opinion it could be a big state
able (to the informers) is something different.
commission for artists. A communist hall of legends.
We don’t use the same scale. We, simple people, are still insignificant but they managed to keep their significance –
Finally we have to say that PODE BAL had this exhibition
once in the Communist party, then in another one, and now
arranged in the National gallery in Veletržní palác but clashed
part of an exhibition. Their existence is depicted by the blurred
against the alibism of the management that asked for more
edge of the photographic (newspaper) media and the arbitrari-
and more certifications. Only the curator Krbůšek in Špála
ness of labels and captions. In the end it is not necessary to
Gallery accepted the idea without reservations and brought it
get blurred, it’s enough to “get renamed“, divert attention off
to an opening. The exhibition is worth seeing, as they usually
to another detail. Why is this possible? Because everything
say. But in this case the word “seeing“ fails to function.
happens in a mentioned media – in print, etc. In a small com-
188
From the press / Malík Urvi
like Zdeněk Škromach, Pavel Mertlík in the government, not to
G.E.N. was to be originally exhibited in the Collection of
tion Malík Urvi points to a hard-to-deny fact that the ones
Modern Art in Veletržní palác but it turned out that Pode Bal
who profit from concealing the past of the totalitarian system
is too uncomfortable for the National Gallery. Now – after the
the most are those who helped to keep it alive. (Rebeka
mention Kavan’s past? (Jan Rejžek, http://iport.cz/) The exhibi-
opening – G.E.N. is making even more people squirm. (The
Křižanová, Týden no. 4/2000) From the general political view,
Prague Post 19. – 25. 1. 2000) The group Pode Bal opened
Pode Bal sees a great paradox between the law classifying the
its exhibition Malík Urvi showing photos of former Communist
communist regime as criminal and the present high ranks of
party functionaries and Secret Police spies who still work in
many of those who supported this regime actively (Petr
important state positions. (Respekt, January 10 – 16, 2000)
Motyčka). Their view is a view of amazement, the amaze-
A flood of legal suits will probably bring on the Prague exhibi-
ment that many of us have long lost. (Emanuel Mandler,
tion “Malík Urvi“, in which the art group Pode Bal introduces
Lidové noviny, January 8, 2000) We are entering the dark
portraits of Communist officials and Secret Police collabora-
domain, where only blurred stains stand for reality and we can
tors. One of the first to demand an apology is the Minister of
only imagine, try to empathize or turn away with disgust. The
Industry, Miroslav Grégr. Another protest can be expected
performance of the group is therefore ambiguous and thus
form the Minister Jan Kavan, others are heard as well. (Lidové
interesting. Still it evokes fear. A fear of sponsors who didn’t
noviny, January 13, 2000) “He fulfills his tasks conscien-
want to be named, a fear which was in the air during the open-
tiously and readily,“ that’s the evaluation of the current for-
ing. Horror societatis. (Petr Rezek, Lidové noviny, January 13,
eign affairs minister Jan Kavan’s collaboration with the Secret
2000) If I feared something at the exhibition of Pode Bal
Police by his former superior officer in a file whose fragments
it wasn’t because of the courage of the artwork to provoke the
are made public in the Špála Gallery from January 6, 2000.
powerful into reaction, it was the very impressive and smooth-
(Lenka Králová, press release of Pode Bal, January 5, 2000)
ly elegant form of this provocation. (Marek Pokorný, Detail)
It seems that with GEN and some other works, political
Our possible uncertainty of what kind of messages they
art is returning into the Czech Republic – and that is mainly
were, was clarified positively by Warhol, who made the
thanks to the fact that the new leaders didn’t fulfill their prom-
poster an oeuvre by exhibiting it in the “format of the gallery”.
ise to build a prospering country on the ruins of communism.
The same can be seen in the work of PODE BAL. (Petr Rezek,
(Peter S. Green, The New York Times, May 21, 2000)
Lidové noviny, January 13, 2000) We can easily guess that if
A parade of the Secret Police collaborators, communist offi-
the archives of the Ministry of the Interior were opened
cials and traitors to any power seems scary, in spite that we
more than the present law allows the exhibition would not be
are bombarded by various political affairs everyday. (Lenka
so successful. People could find out enough information about
Lindaurová, MF Dnes January 8, 2000) On Sunday night all
the “randomly chosen samples” and what is important – about
the rooms of Špála Gallery were full and except of the loop
the consequences of their activities. Experience of the
with the ironic “laughter bag“ one could hear the teeth-grind-
German Gauck institute, which processes and publishes the
ing sound of the visitors. Most of the selected scoundrels are
materials of the communist Stasi, show that the fear of
quite successful and they preside over various stock compa-
revenge, mass murders or suicides was unfounded. But in
nies and managing boards. In the space one could feel a help-
Germany there is a much bigger social pressure than in our
less question. How could we allow criminals (i.e. the caliber of
country. People who want to work in the state sector undergo
captain Minařík) to escape punishment? How come the public
the security checks voluntarily. Private companies are interest-
didn’t turn its back on the discredited media types like
ed in the past of their employees as well. That’s why the past
Miroslav Plzák, Jan Cimický or Jarek Nohavica and still admires
becomes much clearer and much less misusable than in the
these rats? Are the voters of the social democrats so hard-
Czech Republic. Here it is different. We have the lustration law
skinned that they don’t mind having pre-revolution bolsheviks
but that can be evaded. A typical case is Miroslav Šlouf. Thanks
189
to his past of a high-ranking party official he cannot hold any
Hlaváček, theoretician, director of Foundation of Contemporary
leading function in the government bureau. But the law doesn’t
Art, in the survey of the magazine Umělec 1/2000) The lavish-
speak about the head of the prime minister’s advisors. (Rebeka
ness of this visual construction - itself a consistent interpreta-
Křižanová, Týden 4/2000) In a speech which is enclosed in pho-
tion which doesn’t leave anyone in doubts about the intentions
tocopies for the visitors Ivan Medek says: “If we wanted to
of the artists and how they distance themselves from the
describe these problems in detail, the space would have to be
denounced - is another landmark in my “journey of refusal”
much bigger and full of many thousands of tiny pictures. But
(Marek Pokorný, Detail) Gossipers say that the members of
then it wouldn’t be an artists issue, anymore.“ In my opinion it
Pode Bal are just modern followers of agitprop – the Soviet art
could be a big state commition for artists. A communist hall of
which used propaganda and visual art for mass agitation. (Peter
legends. (Petr Rezek, Lidové noviny, January 13, 2000) I also
S. Green, The New York Times, May 21, 2000) To provoke
came to see whom the group “Fuck off” chose into the
hatred by way of a pitiful cliché through a game of art which
exposition of criminals and what political indecencies pulled out
is merely simplified propaganda strikes me as neither decent
on them. (Eva Kantůrková, Právo, January 20, 2000) While the
nor convenient. I feel bad when I see that we are throwing
Špála Gallery usually yawns empty and local exhibitions
stones again. I hope that they will not admit us in the EU as we
attract people only during an opening, the January exhbition
don’t have the necessary class. We are scary again. (Jaroslava
breaks records. (Petr Volf, Reflex no 4. 2000) Sensationalism
Fricová, Think Magazine, 02/2000) Pode Bal brings art back
is not a motive of this harsh exhibition. It is an appeal to our
to the dimension of social engagement in the best sense of
last good character traits, a need to demarcate a stable moral
the term as a co-responsibility for the moments when one can
imperative and not to be afraid to put it into art. And so it doesn't
‘not’ say ‘nothing’ to the unbearable aspects of social reality.
hurt too much, the exhibition echoes with a pre-arranged laugh
(Michal Janata, Ateliér 5/2000) It’s the most controversial
track. (Lenka Lindaurová, MF Dnes, January 8, 2000) If there
exhibition of this month, maybe of the whole year. There
was no other reason the exhibition “Malík Urvi” leads us at
are loads of people in front of the exhibits which cannot be said
least to think of the fact that the inaccessibility of official
of exhibitions of the best photographers of this day. But the vis-
archives can have something to do with the past of the exhibited
itors don’t usually come to see the beauty but the dirt. The dirt
present-day high officials (and many others of a similar kind).
of those who play with us the everyday comedy on the highest
Such a specific collection as we can see in “Malík Urvi” calls
level. (Edita Pacovská, www.grafika.cz) “Malík urvi“ is a per-
for more contemplation. (Emanuel Mandler, Lidové noviny,
fectly aimed blow. A simple and clear statement of the facts
January 8, 2000) The exhibition Malík Urvi whose title and
with the portraits of hidden images of well-known faces (let’s
photo of a hand snapping for the pinkie point to the old Czech
hope that behind the raster they feel ashamed) without unnec-
saying “Give the devil an inch and he will take a yard” is an
essary moralizing and hystery has – as it seems – maximum
interactive attempt how to solve our common trauma. A part of
effect. We must say that Pode Bal approaches the problem of
the exhibition are reactions of the viewers who are on the basis
intertwining the old structures into the new through critical and
of their experience co-creators of this revolt against an inferno.
artistic positions. (David Kulhánek, 2000, Bazar) Medialized
(Michal Janata, Ateliér 5/2000) Technically a rather simple
political and social consciousness of an artist has often
procedure evokes an effect which galleries haven’t witnessed
a taste of something inappropriate and therefore plays in the
for a long time. In here art naturally merges with social critique,
Czech art world an important role of playful infantilism, lyricism
perforates sharply and sarcastically its mundane, intimate, “lart-
and various forms of toothless jokes and paraphrases of popu-
poulartistic” shell and brings into the closed halls of the art
lar culture. (Miloš Vojtěchovský, curator, in a survey of the mag-
scene a brilliant political provocation. (Respekt, January 10 – 16,
azine Umělec 1/2000) The exhibition „Malík urvi“ has a great
2000) The exhibition of Pode Bal is art. It is a ready-made of
potential which can easily turn into the form of mere ges-
our time. Politics is reality like any other and can be reflected
tures. Pode Bal must show that their goal is not only the effect
just like the countryside. It is only us who stopped finding top-
of rippling water but also the enrichment of the discussion about
ics for art in it. (Jana and Jiří Ševčíkovi, theoreticians and cura-
moral responsibility. The purpose mustn’t be an “advertisement
tors, in a survey of the magazine Umělec 1/2000) it’s naive, if
of the problem” only. The socially and politically engaged art
not altogether prudish continuation of something that doesn’t
holds a mirror up to society and that’s a long term strategy,
exist anymore – in cultural dissidence. Today, when there
which needs endurance and ability to stand up for its opinions
should exist an open democratic transparency we shouldn’t
even outside the space of the performance. We want to trust
need to insufficiently meddle in things that run on a different
Pode Bal will manage this. (David Kulhánek, Bazar)
level. When it’s politics, then politics, when it’s art, then art…
(Pavel Liška, director of the House of Art in Brno, in the survey of the magazine Umělec 1/2000) Pode Bal did in Špála Gallery what is the task of art: it didn’t repeat the common cliché, but with an open mind and with full personal responsibility showed what really is around us and what it is like. (Ludvík
190
Institutionalized Art
interview: Martina Pachmanová and Petr Motyãka
February 2002 A few weeks ago the group Pode Bal, whose member you
see also – The Extradition of the Balloons from the Castle / Denisa Kera
are, introduced a “guerrilla“ project of its kind in the National Gallery in Prague. It is called Institutionalized Art. From the outside and inside of the facade of Veletržní palác you installed – without any previous notice – a halved brick which looks as if it were flying through the glass wall. It was a sort of non-violent metaphor of a violent penetration of an outside element into the institutionalized ground. What brought you to this intervention? There were more reasons for this action but I would like to speak about the political and social level of Institutionalized Art – and that is the present program and function of the National Gallery and its tandem management of Knížák and Kolíbal. NG is a public service institution and therefore it should be accountable to the public – amateur and professional. The main impulse for the realization of our project was a public discussion about the position of contemporary art in the NG museums. This happened at the New York University in Prague in November last year. The general manager of the NG said twice in there, that he will not be accountable to anyone for his decisions and that the opinions of artists, curators, art-historians and journalists, present and absent, do not interest him. Our project was a reaction to this repeated demonstration of arrogance by Mr. Knížák.
A halved brick, glued to both sides of the glass facade naturally extenuates the border which exists between the inside and outside, between the elite space of a museum institution and public space of the street. Why this “interspace“? The project was conceived as a metaphor of breaking through a barrier which makes the complexities and decision making of the NG from the outside completely untransparent. This barrier we wanted to breach symbolically. The NG approaches the “national cultural heritage” as a means of petrification of the present state of society and its priorities, instead of trying to discover new directions through art. Pode Bal considers activities of the NG today as parasitism on art in order to fulfill its own political goals. NG is not a friend of contemporary art but its normalizator. Moreover, through the installation, we also wanted to point to a more general problem of the self-centered institutional power which ignores public opinion.
191
Isn’t it quite absurd that you criticize an institution lead by
Veletržní palác (Kolíbal, Nepraš, Veselý, Malich and Knížák) – to
an artist who, in the 60s and 70s, rebelled against the
exhibit his own works wherever it’s possible. I don’t want to say
power structures by similarly alternative means?
that Mr. Knížák doesn’t have his place in the history of the
It is absurd and we stress this fact. The brick which creates
Czech art of the 1960s and 1970s, but as the top representative
an illusion of flying through a facade was to remind Knížák
of this institution he certainly cannot present himself!
of his past and of how easily he had blunted the edge of his fluxus-time happenings and art. The manifest of Aktuál has
The Pode Bal group “became famous“ thanks to uncom-
surely a lot to do with the activities of Pode Bal. If the present
promising critique of many social, political and cultural
situation persists we will keep reminding Mr. Knížák of his
problems. several years ago, in the foyer of the Parliament
past on the facade of the Veletržní palác, again and again.
you exhibited a series of posters concerning the very con-
What was the reaction to Institutionalized Art?
tors. In 2000 in the exhibition Malík Urvi in Špála Gallery
troversial anti-drug law. That irritated many Czech legislaI have only internal information from the NG because the gen-
you touched some very sensitive questions of diffusion of
eral director, as well as the director of the Modern collection,
former Secret Police agents into the economic and political
decided not to react publicly to our action. As to the media,
elite of this country; its result is well known: the Špála
the interest and commentaries were not as big as we expected.
Gallery lost a rich, state owned sponsor. Now you are aim-
But I’m still satisfied with the project because even if the
ing at the cultural politics of a state art institution. Do you
reaction inside NG is covert, the created situation will have to
think that critically oriented contemporary art can have
be solved on certain levels, including the trivial question of
a specific influence on the events in the society?
how to remove a brick stuck to the glass with a special glue.
Of course. To influence society is one of the functions of art.
The media feedback is always important in such interventions,
This aspect is, unfortunately, fairly neglected in our country.
the more because our goal was and is to stir up a discussion
When we look around the world, art has currently a very
on this matter.
strong tendency to speak uncompromisingly about various social, political and even economic questions. This could be
That is true but public art is very often realized anony-
seen at the last Biennial in Venice. Art which doesn’t hide
mously, and its “merging“ with public space can be the
from the complexities of the world has a good possibility to
best intervention and the most consistent resignation to
evoke some reaction in the society. And not only this. Political
institutional rules...
parties, big corporations or advertising agencies have many
Yes, but our project is specifically about a public service institu-
interesting strategies which artists can appropriate and turn
tion and it needs a public dialogue. Pode Bal is against any form
against their originators. In other words, the artist who is not
of artistic bootlicking of official structures, of course, and that is
indifferent to what happens around him or her, can, from
why we sometimes choose for of our projects illegal, non-
these strategies, gain a very useful tool for subverting the
approved ways. Art doesn’t always have to be something official
untouchable and power authorities of any kind. It is a way of
– as Duchamp showed – it is a simple human activity, a natural
appropriation of a certain model with the aim to disorganize
intention to create. Art should react to the state of the society
this model from the inside. And Pode Bal is attempting some-
and to be valuable it should come out of an authentic milieu in
thing along those lines.
which the artist lives. That is why we react to the antagonistic relationship of the NG to contemporary art which is seen in the
The so called engaged art is still considered by the Czech
number of the curators of the modern collection who left recently
scene a relic of the past regime and is a priori linked with
– willingly or not. Where this antagonism doesn’t count, is in the
ideological propaganda. Pode Bal approaches this form of
case of Milan Knížák. He doesn’t hesitate to buy his own art into
art without prejudice. Would you go as far as to describe
the collections or – as we can see in the forthcoming exterior
your activities as political art?
installation of the contemporary Czech sculpture in front of the
A big part of our projects is political. But thinking of it, I would
192
go as far as to describe any contemporary art as political – at least in a certain sense. I don’t mean the connection of art and activities of some political party or an explicit expression of a political content by visual means. More, I think of the inevitable political context from which contemporary art originates. But also art that evades this context and whose author deliberately tries to stay aside is political art. What gives such art work its political dimension is paradoxically its apoliticalness. The present day visual communication occurring in the public including art, advertising or political propaganda inevitably has a certain political status through its linkage with the ideological environment (which, of course, is the museum of art as well) and the market. To stand up against these bonds is a political act in itself.
I will give you the same question I used in my interview with Jiří Příhoda: Veletržní palác is a Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art and in front of the entrance of this huge building there is a big banner inviting people to see the art of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. However, the director of the National Gallery said many times that this institution is not a Kunsthalle and that he is not going to indulge in exhibiting or collecting contemporary art. How do artists of your generation understand this fact and what do you think of this? I’d love to be wrong but I’m afraid that among Czech artists of any generation there is not enough engagement – not in the sense of conformity but in the sense of criticism. I spoke about this a while ago. I have a feeling that most artists don’t care. Instead of speaking publicly about similar problems they make their “apolitical” art in their studios. If the National Gallery claims to work with the art of present day, which means 21st century, they should do it, and not just preserve the so-called established values. Contemporary art is an extremely complicated organism and it is becoming more and more complex. If the National Gallery decides not to reflect this development it only furthers the already huge public ignorance and misunderstanding of contemporary art. It is a vicious circle. To destroy it we need many things but one of them is the engagement of the artists themselves. Otherwise we will have a National Gallery which dangerously resembles the tin can of Piero Manzoni whose content is well known to everybody: Merda d’artista.
193
left: “Demand for the removal of foreign object”, one of the National Gallery’s reactions to Pode Bal’s intervention – letter from the assistant of the director Milan Knížák, Prague, 2002 opposite: “Demand for restoration of the artwork to its original condition”, – reaction of Pode Bal to the letter from the assistant of the director Milan Knížák, Prague, 2002
Above: Demand of removal of foreign object from the premise of Veletržní Palác
Opposite (Pode Bal’s reaction): DEMAND OF RESTORATION OF THE ART WORK TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION
On February 25, 2002 at 14.30 your organization illegitimately interfered with the ownerships rights of the Czech Republic – of the National Gallery in Prague in the object of Veletržní palác, Dukelských hrdinů 47, a registered historic landmark, by unauthorized placement of two parts of a brick, specifically on the perimeter and inside the building on a window in the ground floor on the right side of the building in Veletržní Street. The installation of both parts of the brick took place on a day when the NG expositions were closed and during the de-installation of the exhibition Art Design Ongoing, whose organizer was not the NG. The window glass was burdened so much by the bricks from both sides of the window that the gallery could not avoid danger of collapse and a threat to the passers-by in the public space and to the visitors of the library of Veletržní Palác. The National Gallery in Prague had to invite an outside professional to remove it. Only the inner installation was removed without damaging the glass; the outer installation caused extensive vibrations of the glass when touched. Thus we ask you to be personally present to the removing of the remaining part of the brick. In this matter you should contact my secretary in Veletržní palác before March 6, 2002 at the telephone number 24301297 or you can come personally in the work days to see me on the 6th floor, door 6330. I feel obliged to inform you that when the damage of the outer glass will be unavoidable during the removal of the remaining part, your organization is to take part in the protocol and reparations of the extent of the damage. The National Gallery prefers the compensation of bringing the property into its original state, if such compensation is not possible or convenient, your organization has to pay the compensation in cash. If your organization will not meet the requirements of this formal notice, the National Gallery in Prague will remove the installation and the cost incurred will be enforced by legal proceedings. Preliminary estimate of removing the whole glass is CZK 33 000. I believe that we will be able to settle the whole issue out of court.
Dear Mr. Tajč,
Ing. Miroslav Tajč, General director assistant
194
We received your letter from March 14, 2002, titled “Demand of removal of foreign object from the premise of the Veletržní Palác”. First we would like to sum up the whole situation. On February 25, 2002 we installed on the window of Veletržní palác at the address of Praha 7, Dukelských hrdinů 47 a work of art which was created by the members of the Pode Bal under the title “Institutionalized Art”. This piece of art was partly removed without the approval of the artists which, in practical level, means destroying our artwork as a whole. Then we were asked in the above mentioned letter to assist completing the destruction of the artwork. We hereby inform you of our stand in the situation. It is true that our artwork was placed in the object of Veletržní Palác without previous approval of this institution. The fact that it was installed on the day when the National Gallery (NG) was closed for public is irrelevant. Our artwork was meant as a present to the NG so as to help enrich the collections of NG which, in our opinion, doesn’t fulfill its function and does not represent art of the 21st century as it claims in its program. Our work is a metaphor of a breakthrough of a barrier which arose between the public and the NG and which completely covers its intentions. The NG approaches the national cultural heritage as an excuse for petrification of the status quo instead of trying to discover new directions through art. Pode Bal considers activities of the NG today as parasitism on art in order to fulfill its own political goals. NG is not an ally of contemporary art but its normalizator. Institutionalized Art also addresses the more general problem of a self-centered institutional power which ignores public opinion. We want to appeal to the management of the NG to abandon their arrogant ways in which it ignores the
opinions of the amateur and professional public, and to start a dialogue open also to the opinions that differ from those of the general director of the National Gallery Milan KnĂŞåk. Last but not least we would like to remind the public that NG is not a service house for a self-appointed elite but a publicly funded institution. By removing the work without the approval of the authors the NG violated the copyright of the artists from Pode Bal. The fact that the work was installed onto the property of a third person, i.e. the state, is not important in this context. In accordance with the valid legal regulations the author has the right for his work to be inviolable and, more importantly, has the right to disapprove of any change or intervention into his work. As we mentioned earlier, there was no approval to the destruction of the artwork. We insist that the property right cannot be privileged to the copyright. Reasoning that the work must be removed for the safety of the passers-by and visitors we consider to be intentionally fabricated. In this situation we appeal to the National Gallery to restore our art work to its original state and so avoid the consequences of violating the copyright of the Pode Bal organization. We will provide detailed information of the technique used to install the work at request. Failing to comply with our request will result in demand of adequate satisfaction for the infringement of our copyright and financial compensation for sustained damage. We inform you that the value of the artwork is undoubtedly higher than the possible damage which can arise from its installation or reinstallation. The Pode Bal group just as the National Gallery prefers a conciliatory solution of the problem and we hope that the National Gallery represented by the current administration means to fulfill the functions and tasks it was established for.
With best regards Petr Motycka
Snapshot of Pode Bal's brick one year after the action, before Prague Biennale 2003; the remaining exterior half was then removed by the National Gallery.
195
Extradiction May 2002
·árka Ola, gostas da minha foto? Si? Entao venha e te mostro muito
For the group exhibition, curated by Jana and Jiří Ševčík,
mais! Sou ·árka, vinte anos, sutien numero tres,
Pode Bal created two loosely connected installations.
ofereco sexo classico, oral, massagem, piss, parejas.
First installation consisted of floating objects, text and Cprint;
Talvez a noite inteira! Escort. Precos a partir de dezesseis
the second was a video installation made up of five videos in
Euro! Falo ingles. Aceito mocoilas para alternar.
which Czech women read adverts for sexual services. Real ads originated from a Czech personal advertisement
Hi, do you like my photo? Yes? So come and I will show you
newspaper. The ads were translated into Portuguese
more! My name is Šárka, I’m 20, bust size C, I offer classic
and the women read them phonetically, as they did not speak
sex, oral, massage, piss, couples. The whole night! Escort.
the language. The ads included authentic telephone numbers.
Prices from 16 Euro! I speak English. I’ll take a girl for alternation. 0608 284545 zero seis zero oito dois oito quatro cinco quatro cinco
Markéta Indomavel marqueta, trinta e tresa anos, um metro e setenta, setenta, seis (vide foto) cheia de tesao e desejo por sexo selvagem e sem barreiras, Te recebo com prazer em meu privado. Posso ir ao seu encontro. Precos a partir de dezesseis Euros Tameless Markéta, 33 years, 170 cm, 70, 6 (see picture), always lusty and longing for wild and unbridled sex, I will welcome you in my private flat. I can also come to your place. Prices from 16 Euro. Telefon: 0776 007870 Telefone : zero sete sete seis zero zero sete oito sete zero
196
Veronika
Katoliãka / Catolica
Indomavel Veronica, dezenove anos, um metro e setenta
quarenta e cinco anos com problemas locomotores, gostaria
centimetros, com seios firmes, numero 5, Te convida para
de conhecer homem de idade media, que nao se importe que
o seu ninho. Queres experimentar minha doce conchinha
eu seja pobre. Apesar disso sou afavel, honesta e tenho no
e acariciar minhas firmes nadegas, entao me telefone.
coraccao, amor e bondade. Fidelidade acima de tudo. Sou
Possivel piss, ligth sadomaso, massagem erotica e classica.
catolica praticante, oferecco amor e compreencao.
Estou a te esperar. 45/170 with a walking handicap wants to meet a man of Passionate Veronika, 19 years, 170 cm, firm bust size 5,
adequate age who doesn’t mind that I’m poor. I’m kind-
invites you to her nest. If you want to taste my sweet pussy
hearted and sincere in love, with goodness and fidelity in my
and caress my firm bottom call me now. Possible piss, light
heart. I’m a practicing Catholic, I offer love and understanding.
sado-maso, erotic and classic massages. I’m waiting for you. Symbol STV-05-69515A Tel.: 0602 313343
Simbolo ese te ve zero cinco seis nove cinco um cinco A
Telefone: zero seis zero dois tres um tres tres quatro tres
Draãice / Dragona Queres fazer amor conforme a sua imaginaccao? Te ofereco oral sem prezervativos gozando na boquinha por vinte e tres Euros e sexo apaixonado com possivel Lesbishow. Tenho dezenove anos, dragona carinhosa, que te recebe com prazer no seu ninho de amor. Do you want to experience love-making of your dreams? I offer oral sex without protection with climax into the mouth for 23 Euro and passionate love-making with possible lesbishow. I’m 19, an affectionate dragona who will welcome you in her love nest. Tel.: 0606 437083 Telefone zero seis zero seis quatro tres sete zero oito tres
197
Zimmer Frei May 2002
was justified by an unbelievable formulation in which the Castle Chancellor expresses his fear of intolerant foreigners and critically conservative reactions of the Castle employees:
The Extradition of the Balloons from the Castle / Denisa Kera
“...the Castle serves as a destination for visitors from all parts of the world equipped with unpredictable amounts of intolerance, as well as a work place for several hundred people, supported by conservative and critical tax payers.”
From the outside one could say that this year was rather
(quoted from the press release of Pode Bal, May 16, 2002).
unfavorable for Pode Bal. After the scandalized installation
Why are the possible negative reactions once described as
“Institutionalized art” in February which protested against
critically conservative (in the case of Czech employees and
the general director of the National Gallery Milan Knížák,
taxpayers) and in the case of foreigners become a show of
their new installation ”Zimmer Frei” at the exhibition Politik-
“intolerance”? Doesn’t the hidden xenophobia of this
um was also removed by force. What did they do to deserve
expression say exactly what the destroyed art installation
such treatment from institutions such as the National Gallery
points to? Not to speak about the paranoid notion that the
or the Prague Castle? Is it a bad year just for this group or is
Castle employees together with crazy foreigners will pro-
there something very wrong happening to Czech art and the
ceed to attack the exhibits. This letter paradoxically summed
freedom of speech?
up and confirmed what the installation “Zimmer Frei” only wanted to suggest – that our relationship to the Sudeten
The uniqueness of Pode Bal’s art projects is surprisingly not
Germans is a mixture of paranoia, fear and xenophobia.
in the fact that they merely address similar questions of
Together with the later attack of the Castle security against
freedom of speech or various taboos, but in their dealing
the balloons, this censorship is a part of the installation as
with the growing signs of intolerance and blind institutional
its continuation, not its end. The whole action can be seen
power which they manage to ridicule. The limits of freedom
at the exhibition Politik-um as a video recording. The balloons
in our surroundings, and therefore the limits of what is scan-
act out their symbolic role of a dirty conscience together
dalous and censored, become through their performances
with the sign for tourists, which exactly expresses the com-
scandals of censorship. These happenings under the direc-
bination of servility and treachery against the Germans
tion of Pode Bal and through involuntary presence of various
which might be much better explained by psychiatric science
institutions actually show that scandal and censorship not
than by history. Instead of the extradition of Germans we
only belong to the definition of the modern and contempo-
can now witness a comical but still violent extradition of the
rary art but they can become a direct object of art interest.
balloons which only tried to be a reminiscence. This combat with troublesome art works reflects exactly the violent
It is the impending scandal that often becomes the reason
refusal of memories but also the resettlement of trouble-
for censorship, as we can see in the letter of the chancellor
some people. Thus the installation–happening “Zimmer
Ivo Mathé in the case of the banned installation “Zimmer
Frei” confronts us with the danger that some things can
frei”. This public censorship is, moreover, an echo of a much
happen again and that they are not only existing in memo-
worse inner censorship and unpleasant memories or
ries and reflections. The tendencies that led to similar extra-
thoughts of the public. A big inscription “Zimmer Frei” with
ditions in the past are, it seems, still present.
the help of which we welcome German tourists in the border towns becomes, in the installation of Pode Bal, an epigraph
A similar strategy that managed to provoke the Prague
of their extradition as well as the empty houses, printed on
Castle to confirm the meaning of “Zimmer frei” was also
the balloons with the addresses, that once belonged to
used by the group in the case of the National Gallery – to
German owners. The removal of these balloons and banner
point out the absolutist practices in this institution.
198
As a protest against the claim of Milan Knížák in February
“art”, as they don’t surprise anyone and are considered
2002, who stated that he doesn’t care about what the public
“ours” in the sense of the accepted canon of art works or
thinks of the National Gallery’s activities, Pode Bal glued
collections defined by national identity?
a halved brick from the outside and inside of the window of
The installations of Pode Bal always somehow unexpectedly
the National Gallery. The brick made an illusion of penetrating
become – in one specific moment – social happenings with
into the inner space of the National Gallery which was hit by
the participation of various institutions. This spontaneous
the “public opinion” in the form of a brick. The ironic form
change of an installation into a happening continues in the
pointed to the fact that NG is not a hermetically closed con-
intentions of the work and defines a new art form of “insti-
tainer under the authority of one man. As a sign of disgrace,
tutional performance”. For Pode Bal, censorship and scandal
the installation of the brick provoked the NG to sending
became means of provoking the power institutions to invol-
a curious letter and to a famous happening which changed
untary performances in which they show their real face and
the simple installation into a performance with a title
thus make fools of themselves. This “artistic” abuse of pub-
“Removing a foreign object from the NG”. Before that there
lic institutions and their oppressive function is well seen in
was the famous “Demand to remove a foreign object from
how Pode Bal forced the NG and the Prague Castle to do
the premise of Veletržní Palác” with the date of March 14,
ridiculous things: to remove bricks stuck to windows of the
2002, written by the secretary of the general director of NG,
gallery or to stab big rubber balloons, not to speak about
Miroslav Tajč. This demand should function as a manifesto
strange letters which were supposed to justify these actions.
of any other art work. The label “foreign object” which is
Pode Bal allowed us to discover a childlike or maybe rather
given in the letter to the installation, and the reasoning of its
childish face of the institutions which can be as cruel and
removal (the fear for public safety) is nearly a paradigmatic
silly as little children, albeit lacking their innocence.
answer of any institution to a problem of a “foreign”, “different” and troublesome entity. The city, the gallery and the healthy citizens should always be kept away from anything different, foreign and uncomfortable by removing these foreign things, degenerated art, or dirty race. A “foreign object” is thus a perfect metaphor for any artwork which should rightly disturb and intervene with the monotone, monocultural and mono-discursive milieu. The letter of NG expressed perfectly how important this binary opposition of “foreign-own” really is for art and that exactly this foreignness constitutes the work of art. The mechanisms used for the change of the “foreign” into the “own” are always going against art which, on the contrary, creates new and surprising things from the known and “own”, or, simply put, their foreignness. The gallery which is getting rid of these things (the brick) perfectly represents this paradox, even chooses the form of a happening – “the foreign object” is at a certain moment and place simply disposed of with the help of the police which only underlines the general institutional problem with anything “foreign”. The provocative question is, if we can still call the works inside the NG
199
An interview with Petr Motyčka for Literární Noviny Could you describe – from the point of view of the Pode Bal group – what happened on Tuesday, May 14 at the Prague Castle before the opening of the exhibition POLITIK-UM / New Engagement? I will answer this question by citing from our press release: Center for contemporary art Prague organized an international exhibition with cooperation of the Administration of Prague Castle called Politik-um / New Engagement. The organizers invited artists that are known to focus on political aspects in their work. Among many others, the artist group Pode Bal had been invited to take part of the exhibition with their project Zimmer Frei. This caused and unexpected happening at the Prague Castle. It was foreshadowed by excited correspondence between the curator of the exhibition Ludvík Hlaváček and the Chancellor of the Presidential Office, Ivo Mathé. Mr. Mathé demanded that Pode Bal’s project be excluded from the exhibition and eventually issued a ban on all exterior installations, stating that the Prague Castle “serves as a destination for visitors from all parts of the world equipped with unpredictable amounts of intolerance, as well as a work place for several hundred people, supported by conservative and critical tax payers.” Why was the Chancellor concerned about the reactions of foreigners promenading on the courtyard of the Prague Castle and Czech tax payers? The main theme in the project presented by Pode Bal was one of the many “taboos” of modern Czech society – deportation of the Sudeten Germans. The officials from the Castle probably forgot that artists are no longer subject to the kind censorship of the State and their work is not evaluated by functionaries anymore. Pode Bal reacted to the act of censorship with a shrug and announced at the official press conference, that they are going to install their work despite the Chancellor’s disagreement. The happening took place shortly after 5 p.m.. The banner Zimmer Frei appeared above the Bull Staircase and in the courtyard artists dispatched twelve balloons of over a meter in diameter. Each one bore the picture and address of a specific building from Liberec, that had been owned by Czech Germans before the post-war confiscations. Then something strange happened. Members of the castle’s security attacked the rolling
200
balloons and attempted in vain to force them through the narrow
of the post-war extradition of the Sudeten Germans. (The
doors leading to the offices of the castle. Some of the visitors
project is called ZIMMER FREI and it is installed in the
could not resist and joined the action and played ball with
Theresian wing at this time.) The president’s Chancellor
the security men. The unscheduled match was finished in the
Mr. Ivo Mathé personally intervened and explained the ban by
moment when one of the tough guys got an idea. He took out
expressing his fear of the reaction of visiting foreigners who,
his little knife and jabbed the ball... When the commando
according to him, are “equipped with an unpredictable
succeeded in destroying their rubber enemies, they attacked the
amounts of intolerance”. However, one thing is important:
banner Zimmer Frei and brutally ripped it off the stone staircase.
Although we can doubt that Mr. Havel actively took part in the
The courtyard of the Prague Castle was once again ready to
censorship scam, he is the one to be held responsible for it.
accept intolerant visitors from abroad and welcome the
That is derived not only from his sovereign position...
conservative taxpayers. The next day the spokesman of the Prague Castle Ladislav Špaček reacted to the event in
How do you evaluate the seminar to the exhibition which
a memorandum for the Czech Press Agency. He informed that
took place the day after the opening in the Prague Goethe
the staircase had been damaged and the Castle demands
institute?
reparations. The Castle’s security service will have to add a rather
As positive. Similar discussions at these art get-togethers are
unusual expense to their account books: “restoration work”.
usually carried out in the spirit of careful patting on the backs, complaining about various wrongs (or those who are absent
Didn’t you try to negotiate with the Presidential Office in
at the moment) and their basic feature is BOREDOM.
order for them to leave your exterior installation at least
The discussion about political art in the Goethe institute was
for the time necessary to make a video footage
confrontational and objective. But it was also thanks to foreign
or photographs?
artists (for example Milica Tomiç and Olivier Debroise).
We would never think of anything like that. To beg art-banning clerks to give us permission to install at least for a short
What do you think about the caution with which the
while, at least a little bit would be totally ridiculous. Pode Bal
organizers use the term “political art” (they use the title
isn’t concerned with some alibistic video recording. It was
POLITIK-UM and leave the subtitle of the exhibition
about taking a clear stand on the issue. We do not consider
“New engagement” in English)?
political officials as equal partners in a discussion about con-
I don’t think it’s caution. The English title New engagement
temporary art and that is why we simply didn’t reflect on their
emerged independently of the Czech Politik-um. Personally
opinion. We announced our intention to execute our installa-
I always said I would use a different and united title for the
tion in the Castle courtyard (according to the curator-approved
exhibition, one that would communicate in both languages,
part of the exposition) at the initial press conference and then
but actually I don’t think it too important.
we proceeded with installing at the announced time.
Which works at the exhibition appealed to you the most It had been written that the Castle Administration’s
and why?
approach to the courtyard installations had been influenced
The most interesting for me were the works by foreign artists.
directly by the president Václav Havel. Do you know
For example the video installation of an Israeli artist Tamar
anything more about that?
Raban (Headache in the Stomach). She shows personal
The exterior part of the exhibition was banned on the recom-
dimensions in the backstage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
mendation of some “Political Section” of the Castle and the
in a very intimate and seemingly non-political way. It evokes
reason was the content. The clerks were irritated mainly by
in me the feeling of a silent desperation of people on both
Pode Bal’s project, which was about Czech-German relation-
sides of the conflict who don’t share the political and religious
ships and the discrepancies in the present day understanding
hate of their countries but don’t know what to do. Somewhat
201
opposite of the intimate confession is a sociological-political
ical party or program, it doesn’t mean that those who adhere
project of Ingo Günther from Germany called Refugee
to it have any specific political aspirations. The meaning of the
Republic. It is a long-term and very complicated project with
description political art is in that its creator is not indifferent to
a wonderfully simple idea: an emergence of a new republic
the problems of society and feels a need to address them
for those no one wants: refugees, dissidents and exiles. The
critically in his or her work. Herbert Marcusse once wrote that
project shows a high percentage of educated people among
the mechanized life creates mechanized thinking, a kind of
the “unwanted” and expresses an opinion that such a repub-
a collective trance. Art should disturb this kind of trance.
lic would not only function well but soon would prosper.
I think that the artists who openly profess “political art” feel
At the same time it would have the opportunity to become
the responsibility to the environment they live in.
a truly multi-ethnic society which would be an example of tolerance for the outside world. Such a project pragmatically
The events preceding the opening of the exhibition we
begs a discussion about local and global political problems
described above would get art onto the title pages of
and that is what I consider an important feature of contempo-
newspapers for at least a short time. It wasn’t so in our
rary art. These two projects are in my opinion good examples
country...
of various approaches which artists use to express themselves
It was. In connection with the exhibition there were articles
in present day. But there were many more interesting works.
on the title pages of MFDnes, the magazine Týden, and Lidové Noviny. Other media devoted large space to the
How would you define the political art of the present day
events, for example a whole page in Respect. But it is a pity
– in your opinion or in the opinion of the Pode Bal group?
that there isn’t more interest in independent art. (And I don’t
The term political art is in Czech Republic a bit problematic.
mean such things as the film Kolja and the like — these are
People usually imagine politicized art or art politics. At the
hybrids of the advertisement culture whose main motives are
present (and it could be argued that at any time in history) any
money and personal status, thus loosing freedom and there-
art which is presented publicly is political. This is paradoxically
fore the right to call themselves art.)
true even of such works which are in their statement intentionally apolitical. Public art statements happen in a world which is basically political. The interconnection of culture, media and market influences the art-creating process itself. The public space is filled with sponsored opinions which are created on grounds of political or commercial commission. Mainly we are talking about advertising and TV broadcasting which intend to program the viewer into certain behavior and therefore thinking. The ultimate goal of their existence is the money and thus power. This doesn’t mean that they are inherently bad as many people think but that they are POLITICAL. Anything that in a way disputes the mentioned (mainly visual) communication is necessarily political, even in cases when polemics are not intended. (For example, a statue of a man on the pavement is political, because it is in contrast to its surroundings. It doesn’t sell any goods or opinions and thus can direct the viewers attention to the real motives of visual communication around which he would otherwise never think of.) The term “political” doesn’t mean some kind of link to a polit-
202
The Ban of Pode Bal: Victory of Kitsch; May 2002 / Karel Hvížďala
Prague Castle Administration Mrs. Duna Panenková and the curator of the exhibition Ludvik Hlaváček. No one forced them to be loyal. Fifthly: the members of Pode Bal don't have to fear a ban on work positions in official companies as it was usual
Milan Kundera wrote in 1984 in the Unbearable Lightness of
in 1964. What do both the events have in common: the expro-
Being: “The identity of a kitsch is not given by a political strat-
priation of the original critical vocabulary and contexts in
egy but by pictures, metaphors, vocabulary.” Let’s have a look
which the same words are used for persecution or ban. Just
at the following choice of words: They provoke and ridicule
changing the poles and the original meanings of words and
serious topics, they are controversial, politically unbearable and
kitsch wins again.
moreover they placed their works in a barbaric way on... When these words are taken out of their context, they could belong to a laudatory critique of any real piece of artwork because exactly this rhetoric expresses the real essence of true art. The artist and the intellectual must provoke the society. They must keep on destroying the comfortable clichés – the
Some have ideas, some responsibility; May 2002 / Václav Havel
nooks we settled ourselves in. To make us think in different and new contexts. To create and clean up new channels and
The decision of the Presidential Office, that the exhibition of
furrows in our brain. The art that doesn’t provoke, ridicule and
politically engaged art at the Prague Castle which was after
is not controversial is not art but kitsch. Kitsch as an approval
a discussion with the organizers finally left in the interior for
of convenience.
the interested, and not for all Castle visitors mandatorily, caused annoyance of the participating artists.
And exactly this approval to the reek in the musty fur could recently be heard from the Castle. Just like the spokesman of
I would like to say for myself: we have many requests for
the Castle Martin Krafl, Mr Frantisek Lipp, a pensioner from
exhibitions and we always choose only what seems good and
Pilsen, a former assistant of MTZ ČSD, was outraged in 1964,
suitable for the given place. That is what every gallerist does.
when he, at an exhibition, saw a drawing of Hadak’s Švejk
This doesn’t mean, of course, that what we didn’t choose
with a mug in his hand in the pavis of the state sign.
was censored. That is the same kind of nonsense as if I was
For Josef Jireš, the chief of the department of culture of the
to say that when a newspaper didn’t publish some important
Czechoslovak radio in Hradec Kralove, Hadak’s Svejk was the
speech of mine or distorted it with their editor’s cuts I have
peak of indecency. Today we are similarly disturbed by
become a victim of censorship. This is just to put things right.
Masaryk on the billboard of the KFC advertisements from the workshop of the Pode Bal group. Again a connection of two
What is more important is this: I don’t like this certain kind of
symbols which tell us something urgent about this era.
marketing slyness which in this case could be called a “principle of division of responsibility“ (or tersely: the principle of
One cannot resist the feeling that the castle officials are just
“I eat and you pay“). This means that someone (the authors
as afraid as the procurator Dr. Pešková in 1964, when she, in
of these artifacts) will reap all the fame for artistic courage
the closing speech in the process with Miroslav Lidak-Hadak
and someone else (Havel) will suffer the consequences.
(which started on the basis of the testimony of Lipp and Jireš)
Everyone knows that there has been a mobilization against
said: „What did the defendant want? To try how much we can
the Castle (i.e. me) for some time now. And can anyone imagine
bear, and when we let him put Svejk in the state sign today,
a better setup than the designed decoration of the Castle
tomorrow he will spit on everything...“
would be? The political parties, all the media and the whole Czech Nation would unite in the opinion that I did not manage
Still there are few important differences in comparison with
to protect the sacred place of the Czech statehood. The roles
1964 which we should remember. Firstly: Miroslav Lidak was
would be divided perfectly: the artists would be heroes for
on June 17th sentenced to one year unconditionally on the
free and I would be the traitor of the Nation. And I should
ground of the above mentioned complaints of the citizens
have taken that bait?
who used the same vocabulary as the Castle office today. Secondly: the Castle doesn’t borrow the voice of the street to
If you want to know whether I personally would be offended,
complain but the ban was personally backed by the chancellor
then I say no. But it would surely mean a lot more work for
Ivo Mathé himself and by both the spokesmen. Thirdly: the
us: we would have to explain to everyone from the Emperor
ban is not a demonstration of the state cultural politics but of
of Japan, former concentration camp prisoners to Argentinean
a fear of few officials. Fourthly: the artists could be supported
tourists that this is Czech humor.
publicly by the director of the exhibition department of the
(The author is the President of the Czech Republic)
205
The State Appropriation of Pode Bal (Reaction to the article of Václav Havel); May 2002 / Pode Bal (PM) We read the President’s reaction to our works at the exhibition Politik-um / New Engagement with mixed feelings. We see the main problem in the shift of the discussion: from the theme presented by our project somewhere into the typically Czech storm-in-a-teacup. The President thinks that we are a part of some kind of a National conspiracy against him: “Everyone knows that there has been a mobilization against the Castle (i.e. me) for some time now. And can anyone imagine a better setup ...“ and also that our works are carefully calculated for the purpose
The story of political art in the newspapers; July 2007 / Pode Bal (MŠ)
of becoming famous: “This means that someone (the authors of these artifacts) will reap all the fame for artistic courage and
I read several articles about the international exhibition of poli-
someone else (Havel) will suffer the consequences.“
tical art Czechpoint which is in its last days now in the Prague galleries NoD and C2C. In the weekly journal Týden,
It is truly sad that our (long-term) intention to concentrate on
Czechpoint is reported on by Tomáš Pospiszyl, in Respekt by
the topic of Czech xenophobia and unwillingness to accept
Jan Vitvar and on the web server Aktualne.cz by Radek
responsibility for the dark side of Czech history is what Mr. Havel
Wolmuth. All three articles have common features. What is
considers a mere joke. Pode Bal created the installation Zimmer
surprising are the factual mistakes. It is only Wolmuth who
Frei as an impulse for contemplation about the present-day
avoids this as he devotes himself only to personal condemna-
xenophobia of the Czech government and the Parliament in
tions and doesn’t list any facts. In connection with Czechpoint
regard of the extradition of the Czechoslovak citizens of German
the authors mention the exhibition Politik-um which too was
nationality and the so called Beneš Decrees and we were
oriented on political art. This exhibition took place in Prague in
really surprised that of all people, Mr. Havel considers this an
2002 and it was paralleled by media polemics in connection
example of “Czech humor“. Quite frankly, we thought that he
with a censorship intervention against the exterior installation
will be among those who will appreciate such a project.
by the group Pode Bal, which I am a member of. Although Týden and Respect wrote three years ago that our installation
As far as our desire for fame and “marketing slyness“ goes,
Zimmer Frei deals with the problematic aspects of the extradi-
we have to say that we never imagined that our project which
tion of the Sudeten Germans, this year Pospiszyl writes in
the organizers of the exhibition and the Castle had at hand for
Týden that the topic of our installation was the end of Havel’s
months, will be banned by clerks in the last moment. (The
presidential term! This mystification is repeated as a known
general ban of all exterior installations “for technical reasons”
fact in an article in Respekt by Jan Vitvar. In the journalistic
aimed to avoid the accusal of censorship and the censors
misinterpretation, our work Zimmer Frei, in which we were
didn’t care at all that this will also affect all the other artists’
concerned with the fate of specific houses in the Liberec region
projects, which have nothing to do with Pode Bal.) The fact
became an embarrassingly “funny“ agitprop about Havel
that Pode Bal has been consistently appearing in the media is
leaving the Castle, leaving an empty “Zimmer“ behind.
mainly a merit of the Castle clerks, and to tell the truth, we
Regarding the fact that the quickest way how to write an
can’t even believe our eyes. “Thanks“ to this interest, another
article is to “google out“ a text which someone already
of our projects, Lidé Lidem (People to People), leaked into the
wrote, we can expect this gross distortion to be repeated
media, which seriously damaged its research character. (The
more and more often in the future.
author of the article in Lidové Noviny couldn’t resist and despite our pleas wrote about the project and the newspaper
The present day exhibition of political art in NoD is being com-
placed it on the second page!) The Castle (i.e. Havel) should
pared to the mentioned exhibition Politik-um, which is ok. But
change its media advisors. Any student could safely estimate
it compares the incomparable and refers only to form, leaving
the reaction of the media to the attempts of the clerks to
out content. As to their locations, the exhibitions are in extre-
become “gallerists“.
me contrast. Politik-um took place at the Prague Castle with
And lastly: we don’t understand at all why there should be
all the applicable connotations and Czechpoint is exhibited in
someone else responsible for our works. We always stand up
an alternative gallery above a dance club. The extensive
for what we do and the approach of the President suggests
media attention paid to the exhibition Politik-um was also an
more than responsibility its appropriation by the State...
extreme, caused by the attractive censorship issue and the
206
public polemic that followed. For the media this exhibition
art activities in its program, we can see not only a documenta-
was – cynically said – “sexy“. In the shadow of the media
tion of street actions but for example a documentation of an
polemics at the time remained – unfortunately – many great
activist project Luft which was a protest against deportations
art works. Also the meaning of our “Sudeten German“ project
executed with the help of the airline company Lufthansa.
was not discussed, the “censorship“ cause overshadowed
Should such a project be banned from galleries if its effect
any deeper discussion and three years later hardly anyone
lies in the public space where it took place originally? Would
remembers what our installation was about.
Tomáš Pospiszyl expel the German political street art from the Berlin galleries and museums where it was part of the exhibi-
From rather random connections of two exhibitions, Jan Vitvar
tion of 100 years of German art – back to the streets where it
deduces with help of a media short cut, that “political art
originated? It is obvious that in a gallery the works of “political“
moved from the Prague Castle to galleries in the periphery“
art or activism can also function outside their original context,
and thus to the periphery of interest. But these exhibitions
mainly at a critically composed exhibition. But Czechpoint is
had nothing in common, they originated as private initiatives.
not such an exhibition. It is a live show and a festival.
Neither of the criticizing articles mention the accompanying
Czechpoint cannot substitute the inactivity of big state gallery
program of Czechpoint which consisted of discussions, pro-
institutions which should arrange collective exhibitions and
jections, workshops. The articles are not reviews or critiques
thus also exhibitions that reflect and critically evaluate various
in the full meaning of that sense. They are merely comments
forms of “engaged“ or “political“ art. It is not a task of an
of a disappointed visitor. Pospiszyl thinks that the exhibitions
enthusiastically organized show to solve years of lethargy and
is more like “patter and complaints in a pub about the snows-
passivity of contemporary art institutions. The curators Tamara
torm outside while someone gets up and goes to shovel the
Moyzes and Zuzana Štefková deserve respect for their work,
snow“. Radek Wolmuth maliciously mentions: “If this exhibiti-
not superior journalist condemnations.
on was to let the politicians have it, then it didn’t“. But was this the goal of the exhibition? And why the politicians? If the author thinks that “political art“ has always something to do with politicians then it is possible that he is missing out on the issue. The range of activities which we can call “political art“ is very wide and the term itself is just instrumental, it covers not only art reflection of political and social phenomena (or in other words “engaged art“) but also activist projects whose goal is to change certain situations in the society. Moreover the category itself is problematic because any art in itself is de facto political. In connection with the demarketing project of Krištof Kintera in which the artist spray-painted the logos of global corporations (also onto the walls of the gallery) Tomáš Pospiszyl writes that such work doesn’t belong into a gallery and sends Kintera out into the “authenticity“ of the street. He forgets to add that Kintera did this in the street already and the presentation in the gallery is mainly a documentation of this activity. If we visit the rather conservative Vienna and choose for example the Generali Foundation gallery, which by the way has “political“
207
Faithful We Shall Remain October 2002
Ceremonious Act in Zítkovy Sady / Denisa Kera Zítkovy sady in Prague is a place most people never heard of,
Opening speech / Pode Bal (MŠ)
and those who walk through the Palackého Square have no idea of the existence of this mysterious vineyard in its lower part. This forgotten place, which until the last week
Dear friends,
belonged only to dogs and their owners, received on October
We are pleased to welcome you at today’s ceremony of the
13 a truly dominant feature – an original memorial of Beneš
group Pode Bal.
and his decrees. The art group Pode Bal chose this place to install their memorial
In the past we have often been criticized that our activities
of Beneš decrees with a bust of Dr. Eduard Beneš probably to
are mere provocations. We knew that our works have
bring him closer to another Father of the Nation – the huge
a provocative form, however we tried to keep a certain
Palacký memorial. Both, as it seems, protected their
seriousness present in the background.
homeland from all alien with the help of their pen, one by creating its identity through a written history and the other
In the summer of this year the time has come to think about
with a decision to recreate history by signing the well-known
our work and its presentation. To balance. If our work
decrees. The memorial was ceremoniously unveiled to the
is constantly refused – couldn’t it be our fault in the end?
sounds of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. The repeating melody, typical for this imitative form, has actually summed
We have come to realize that this is actually possible and
up the tone of the present-day discussions and clichés, which
started to look for a social topic, that would carry positive
are repeated just as monotonously and with similar baroque
aspects of our reality. We don’t want to be negativists.
haughtiness overlap and strengthen each other. In contrast to
We have to realize that we are artists but at the same time
this, attached to the pedestal of the bust, was the unabridged
we are also Czechs.
version of Beneš decrees sections, which may still come as a surprise to some. The idea and the meaning of territorial
And a respectable topic was found. The whole Czech political
protection, presented by the decrees were well understood
spectrum came to agreement over one point. And that was
by the local dogs as they marked the location properly before
the support of the Beneš decrees. Suddenly a communist
the ceremony began. The connection of a park which most
holds hands with a conservative, Klaus-supporter with
Prague inhabitants use as public toilets for their pets and
a Unionist. And our civil society supported them. We have to
memorial statues is an unwanted irony of the meaning
realize that we are artists but we are citizens as well.
of similar ceremonies. In this ceremonious act, Pode Bal wanted to join the unity
We attempted – in a work which will soon be unveiled –
which prevails in the issue of the Beneš decrees in our country
to say yes to this general consensus. We chose a traditional
throughout the political and social spectrum. The artists
form for our work, enriched with contemporary elements.
showed a deep remorse over their previous works which
How we managed you will soon see. The mentioned work
have roused the public and officials alike. They finally realized
has some attributes of a sketch, but with your possible help
that in the first place they are Czech and that they want to
it can become a decoration of this little park which to this day
express this properly as a celebrated aspect in their works.
lacks a dominant feature.
Therefore they decided to stress the devotion to the Czech Nation of Eduard Beneš by painting the Czech national flag on
Thank you for your attention.
his golden forehead. This make-up changed Beneš to a real
209
Indian chief who would bring any sacrifice for his territory.
Legitimacy of the State? This was set in the constitution from
Thanks to this make-up, we can say that Beneš has his
1920 and its preamble says “because we want to join the
Czechness written directly on his forehead! The flag-painted
society of the nations as an educated, peaceful, democratic
Beneš is not a demonstration of some graffiti-crazed artists
and progressive member” and stresses the connection to the
but a representation of a new kind of nationalistic “make-up”,
set of values as a basis for the international rule of law.
inspired probably by the hockey fans, which accents many
All those who want to confess to “Czechness” should have
political manifestations today. The indulgence in overuse of
a good look at this modest memorial. The ceremony as
national symbols and displays is well seen in the way how
performed by Pode Bal is closer to another act. We can see
politicians compete to express their support to the decrees
naked and uncovered body of history here – the real words
as a proof of affiliation and affection for the Czech Nation.
of the decrees. As opposed to glorification in the form of pious
Zítkovy sady should therefore become a place of pilgrimage
ceremonies and memorial unveilments which often obscure
where one can read this “decalogue” of Czech national pride,
history, this “ceremonious” act uncovers original documents
where all who are weak in faith, can come and absorb the
and materials which constitute history. Pode Bal’s ceremony
strength of these words and admire the national identity and
is actually a performance which should show the history not
integrity as well as the legal continuity which the decrees are
as an aesthetized portrait but as a nude. It is a comparison of
supposed to guarantee.
these two forms of representation. This approximation to
But the satirical mea culpa of Pode Bal in front of the Beneš
simple texts results in that the decrees cease to be a symbol
bust exposes this political “make-up” and the cliché which
of Czechness anymore and become a symbol of betrayal of
makes the decrees an issue of faith through a very clear and
democratic principles. The act ceremoniously unmasks and
simple act. Attached to the lower part of the painted sculpture
shows that the decrees are a work of primitive revenge, not
is the real text of the decrees with the proclamation “Faithful
of law and that it is necessary for every Czech citizen to read
We Shall Remain”. Everyone must decide for themselves if
their original content in a public space, and not in an adjusted
this is an expression of Czech national pride and adhesion to
form of nationalist clichés and various political make-up. We
the legal principles of civilized societies of Europe, and repre-
should take a closer look at the decrees as at the memorial
senting our continuity with the First Republic. For example
itself. When we get closer to it and touch it, we find out that
the following quotation from the “Decrees of the President of
it is not made of marble or solid stone but a plasterboard con-
the Republic from June 21, 1945 in regard to the confiscation
struction with a badly made cast which makes Beneš look like
and hastened division of agricultural property of Germans,
Bart Simpson. And it is this closer attention to the glorified
Hungarians as well as traitors and enemies of the Czech and
decrees that the performance is trying to establish.
Slovak nation”: “To oblige the call of Czech and Slovak farmers and lacklanders for a proper and new land reform and lead by the effort to once and for all seize the Czech and Slovak land from the hands of alien German and Hungarian farm owners as well as traitors of the republic and to give it into the hands of Czech and Slovak farmers and lacklanders, I state to the government proposal:” Do these laws live up to the present day democratic society and are they an expression of our national identity? Or do they rather belong to Zimbabwe where we can easily imagine them signed by some Mugabe? How do words like “alien”, “individuals politically unreliable”, “people of German or Hungarian nationality”, link to the Principle of Democratic
210
Serial Sniper May 2003 / Pode Bal (PM)
From an interview with Michal Šiml and Petr Motyčka for the magazine Typo, 2004
Hypothesis: Violence in Europe shifted into the form of
What were he reactions to this installation?
pictures (mainly films, documentaries and computer games)
[pm] Serial Sniper is a rather aggressive installation. It is sup-
and out of the public space – into institutions and the private
posed to enable one to see familiar surroundings in connection
sphere. Despite the recent war in the Balkans in the space of
with something that does not belong there. That is one of the
the European society there still is a strong feeling that
object’s main functions and a general theme of all public
violence and war conflicts always happen “somewhere else”.
space installations. Public space is often invisible to a certain extent. Similarly to how water is invisible to fish until they are
Method: A classic public intervention – installation of
pulled out onto land. That is why public interventions enable
a disturbing object into public space, in this case a sniper rifle
one to see one's surroundings once more, in a different way.
(non-functioning) with a (functioning) optical scope in resem-
The project was at first realized in Amsterdam as part of the
blance of public telescopes. Serial Sniper enables real aiming
Next5Minutes Festival of tactical media. Although this is
and evokes the division of those present into either an
a really big event, the organizers neglected to obtain the
aggressor or a potential “victim”.
necessary permission. And so we opted for a guerrilla installation. We installed in three different places, but everywhere
Realization: Serial Sniper was installed in public space in
the people were overly active and kept on calling the police.
Amsterdam and later in Bratislava. In Linz, Austria, the police
When we were caught the third time, they told us that if they
revoked the formerly granted permission.
see us once more, they will take us in...
Context: As any diversive installation the Serial Sniper
And then Bratislava…
enabled a different view of the surroundings it was placed
[pm] There we had a permission and suffered mainly problems
into. It was created in a way to mimic serial production and
of the technical kind. We were forced to install Serial Sniper
formally it looks like a common entertainment product, i.e.
for several hours on one of the main squares of Bratislava.
a public telescope. Serial Sniper delineates to its surroundings
Over the whole time of our struggle, no one approached us,
and enables a certain kind of experience for its active and
no one even noticed us. Everyone just walked by as usual.
passive participants. It provokes a hunter and prey game and
One has a tendency to interpret this as a residuum of the
through its users it changes itself into an aggressive and violent
social behavior of Communism and perception of public space
gesture. For its users it dramatizes the implicit aggression of
from the totalitarian times, when everyone was taught to mind
looking and allows us to take the position of a killer.
their own business and ignore things that do not concern
An interesting connection showed the various reactions of the
them directly. After four days, the Mayor (who initially granted
Amsterdam and Bratislava public; the passersby of the Western
the permission) saw the installation and became active and
metropolis actively joined the situation and called the police.
had Serial Sniper removed. I guess he expected something
In the post-communist metropolis the reactions – to the same
conventional and this was “more than only art”. The last event
situation – were completely passive and no one in the
took place in Linz. There, the authorities got rid of us rather
frequented square tried to find out more about the installation.
elegantly and professionally. Everything had been arranged and prepared. Ten minutes before we were to start with the installation the police sent a fax that it would not be, after all, possible. Technical reasons, of course...
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Dialog der Denkmäler 2004 – 2005 / Pode Bal (PM)
Hypothesis: The Austrians would not wish the erection of the same memorial, designed for Russia, in Vienna for aesthetic reasons, not to mention the content. At the same time it is not clear how well informed the Austrian public is
Background: In 1994 the city of Vienna and its Mayor
about the whole issue. We supposed that most people know
Helmut Zilk initiated a project of erecting a memorial to the
nothing about the memorial of the “Suffering of the 6th
“Suffering of the 6th army” in Volgograd, the former
army” and that in the case of slight media attention, there
Stalingrad. The memorial to the fallen Wehrmacht conquerors
will be some controversial reactions.
who died in the long siege and the following defeat, was created by the Austrian architect Wilhelm Holzbauer. It looks
Method: The initiation of the return of the memorial
like a gigantic rusty thorn sticking out of the earth 20 meters
“Suffering of the 6th army” from Volgograd into Vienna,
up towards the sky. The erection of the memorial was
projecting its placement in the city centre and directing
organized between the city representatives of Volgograd and
attention of the public to this intention.
Vienna with the Russians getting a shipment of hospital beds, covers and an unspecified financial sum. The new memorial
Realization: Under the header of a fictitious developer
was supposed to stand close to the 80 meter high sculpture
company we created an urbanist plan of incorporating
of Mother Russia which in contrast commemorates the
Holzbauer’s memorial for the Vienna Schwarzenbergplatz,
courage of the defenders of Stalingrad against the Nazis.
close to the Soviet war memorial which was built to
In this connection and taking the proportions into
commemorate the conquering of Vienna by the Red Army.
consideration, both memorials could enter a dialogue.
The projects of the realization were presented at
The Austrian memorial could be understood to be a sort of
www.schwarzenbergplatz-development.org and also at
a land mine. The realization was complicated by unexpected
Niemandsland, an exhibition in the Viennese Künstlerhaus in
demonstrations of Russian war veterans and inhabitants of
2004. At the same time we contacted the Schwarz Kreuz,
Volgograd which opposed the memorial. Its realization was
Helmut Zilk and Wilhelm Holzbauer and made video
delayed and the memorial was in the end unveiled in 1996 in
interviews with them. In Künstlerhaus we organized
the moors of the remote village Pestshanka, 20 km away
a discussion about the return of the memorial to Vienna,
from Volgograd. The ceremony was visited by Helmut Zilk,
which was moderated by an architecture historian Jan Tabor,
the Minister of Defense Robert Lichal and the representatives
the curator of the project Kunst und Diktaturen. In 2005 we
of the organization Schwarz Kreuz which takes care of the
presented the project in the Berlin gallery Framework, which
graves and memorials of Austrian soldiers fallen in the
is oriented mainly towards architecture. At the exhibition we
Second World War. The memorial provoked us by its content
conducted a visitor survey about political and aesthetic
and aggressive form to realize the project Dialog der
functions of Berlin memorials. Further we made an interview
Denkmäler which is now standing 20 kilometers away from
with Jakob Schulze-Rohr, the initiator of the Holocaust
Volgograd. In 1995 the initiative with the memorial of
memorial in Berlin.
Wehrmacht was discovered by the German daily Der Spiegel which described the whole thing as a shame for Austria.
Context: Despite our expectation we experienced mainly
In the same year Germany officially distanced itself from the
positive reactions on the side of the former initiators of the
initiative and refused to be involved in any way with the
memorial “Suffering of the 6th army.” Josef Shantl from
memorial. It is worth mentioning that contrary to the Germans
Schwarz Kreuz was more or less against moving the
the Austrians never attempted to deal with their Nazi history
memorial, but Holzbauer and Zilk welcomed our initiative.
and they aesthetize themselves into the role of the first victim
Helmut Zilk even advised us on the realization of the project.
(in 1938 they welcomed the entry of the German Nazi army.)
Another unexpected reaction to our project was the complete
212
indifference of the Austrian public and press. The discussion
Stalingrad massacre were around 50 thousand. The Soviet
in Künstlerhaus had minimum attendance. In Berlin the
losses were around half a million. Their sacrifice in Stalingrad
project called out a bigger interest than we expected.
is commemorated by the gigantic statue of Mother Russia. The Austrians wanted to add a memorial of their own
Continuation: The project should move into Volgograd
suffering eight years ago. The steel memorial for Stalingrad –
where the research phase of the reaction of Russian public
today Volgograd – was projected by the architect Wilhelm
will be finished. A follow-up exhibition should then take place,
Holzbauer. Its form reminds us of an arrow or a pyramid.
summing up the results of the previous phases including
Because of the protests from the Russian and partly German
interviews with the representatives of the Austrian, German
side it was finally moved into a distant village Pestshanka, 20
and Russian public. The summarizing exhibition should take
kilometers away. The monument was unveiled there by the
place in Vienna, together with the first steps of the transfer
former Mayor of Vienna Helmut Zilk and the former defense
of the memorial from Volgograd into Vienna.
minister Robert Lichal. In Austria the event led to a small scandal. The Pode Bal group recently decided to revive this sensitive theme. They offered erecting a replica of the monument in the middle of Vienna, at the Schwarzenberg
A Wehrmacht memorial in Vienna? / Jan H. Vitvar
Square, very close to the memorial of the Soviet army. “It is a monster, it looks aggressive. It is actually a sort of materialized shame of Austria”, the memorial is described by a member of Pode Bal, Michal Šiml. The project of its placement in the
The Czech art group Pode Bal examines the Austrian coming to terms with its war past.
Austrian metropolis was presented by the group in the exposition
How the Czechs deal with their history is what Pode Bal
Sunday. It didn’t evoke any negative reaction. The group
already found out. Now they decided to test the reactions of
addressed Zilk and Holzbauer and both were enthusiastic.
Austrians. The result so far is somewhat surprising: our
“We expected that they will distance themselves from the
southern neighbors are even more indifferent towards their
cause and especially from the expected reactions of the Austrians.
historic misdeeds than we are.
But nothing like that happened,” says Šiml who wants to find
Years ago, when the artists put Jan Kavan into their exhibition
out how much the Austrians can bear.
Niemandsland which ended in the Vienna Künstlerhaus last
– called Malík Urvi which showed publicly active people with a past of collaboration with the Communist secret police – he
Emotions around Stalin
wanted to sue them. Balloons printed with photos of houses of
Pode Bal chose an unconventional way; previously they first
the resettled Sudeten Germans at the Prague Castle were
came with a finished work, installed it in an exposed place and
destroyed by the police. The bust which iconized President
then watched the responses of the public. This time they chose
Beneš and his decrees which was installed at Palacký Square
the opposite way. They wanted to install a realistic model of
was stolen. Austrians are much more tolerant towards the
the monument in Vienna only after having had a public
new action of Pode Bal. Or better said – more lethargic.
discussion some time in the autumn. And what if the Austrians really wanted to erect the memorial in Vienna? “We will
Materialized shame
recommend to bring it directly from Pestshanka,” says Michal
In a long battle for Stalingrad in 1942-1943 the Soviets
Šiml. Pode Bal doesn’t plan a similar action in the Czech
crushed the 6th army of Wehrmacht. The German estimated
Republic yet. “There are such emotions linked to the Stalin’s
losses were 190 thousand dead and 90 thousand captured.
memorial in Prague for example, that it is clear how the Czechs
After the war, only 5000 returned from captivity. A fifth of
would react to a possible plan of its renewal. And unlike in
them were Austrians, whose overall numbers in the
Vienna, we wouldn’t have anything to reveal,” adds Šiml.
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From an interview with Michal Šiml and Petr Motyčka for the magazine Typo, 2004
And the result of the exhibition? [mš] Künstlerhaus is nearly a classic place but people didn’t react at all. We sent many invitations, there was an advert in the Standard (Der Standard is the biggest Austrian daily news-
…But your second project you wanted to talk about, is not
paper – editors note) And during the discussion we were sit-
a guerrilla installation, there you decided to take an official path.
ting there with seven people from the whole city!
[mš] I would first say something about the historical background of the project. Ten years ago people in Austria decided
Did you choose a place for the project?
to make a memorial to the 6th army (an army of the Nazi Germany
[mš] As a place for the transfer of the monument we chose
– editor’s note) in Volgograd, once Stalingrad. The author of
Schwarzenberg Platz in the center of Vienna. At one end
the project was the doyen of Austrian architects Wilhelm
there is a memorial to the conquest of Vienna in the style of
Holzbauer. He created a 20 meter high aggressive thorn made
Stalinist gothic. It is a thorn in the eye of the Viennese and no
out of a corroded iron, which was supposed to be in the center
wonder, everything in there is written in Cyrillic, even Stalin’s
of Stalingrad. Originally it should have been close to the Mother
command to conquer Vienna is new and perfectly kept. For
Russia, a statue of liberation of Stalingrad which is an 80 meter
the citizens of Vienna it is a foreign element. We offered to
high woman with a sword. After publication of the project,
erect the 20 meter high memorial of suffering opposite this.
Germany distanced itself from it, because the 6th army was mainly formed by Germans. Then the veterans of the Second
And with that, is the project closed?
World War in Russia and citizens of the former Stalingrad start-
[pm] As a part of the project we recorded interviews with the
ed protesting. So there were many problems around it. But in
main initiators of the original memorial, the former Mayor of
Austria the project evoked a lot of interest. For us that was an
Vienna Helmut Zilk, the author Wilhelm Hölzbauer and the
unbelievable information: an army which wanted to conduct a
general secretary of the Schwarze Kreuz organization Josef
genocide on a city later builds a memorial there, and further-
Schantl. We plan to go on with the video-interviews which
more, called it “The Suffering of the 6th Army”. But in Austria
explain the background of the topics that link the memorials.
they saw it differently. As the locals said, everyone had a grand-
We want to address Karel Schwarzenberg because he is the
father in the Wehrmacht so the project was agreeable for them.
closest neighbor to where the memorial should be placed.
[pm] It has to do with their belief that Austria was the first
We want to be tactful... And next week we go to Berlin
victim of Hitler’s Nazi Germany in the Anschluss.
where we are going through arrangements with the gallery
[mš] So they didn’t manage to build the memorial in Volgograd.
Framework which will show the project next year in the
A few years went by and suddenly a solution presented itself
German context.
– to erect it in the nearby village of Pestshanka, on the moors. Finally the memorial was unveiled.
The Austrian lack of interest reminds me of the Czech lack of interest.
The memorial is standing – what actually was your intention?
[pm] It is different in Austria. In Czech Republic the lack of
[mš] When we learned about the project we decided it could
interest is more direct, it probably has no secondary motives.
be interesting to initiate a return of this memorial back to the
In Austria it is a kind of a curious societal program.
place of its origin – to Vienna. Then Jan Tábor invited us to take part in the exhibition Niemandsland in the Viennese
This fascination by sculpture, memorial, or monument
Künstlerhaus, which was an exhibition about public space.
is interesting.
There we presented the project in the form of a professional
[pm] The project Return of the Memorial “Suffering of the 6th
architectonical visualization. Our intention was to start a public
Army” is one of many which deal with the problem of memori-
discussion about this project.
als in general. What does it mean when a memorial is erected in
214
a public space, approved by the dominant ideology of its time. [mš] Interesting is that in Germany they have two expressions: Denkmal and Mahnmal. Denkmal is a monument which is appreciative, a celebration of something and Mahnmal is a reminder, a warning. The Germans discussed if our project deals with a Denkmal or a Mahnmal. We don’t have this in the Czech language.
But back to memorials... [pm] A memorial is an object of piety to the present power, establishment and ideology. And a memorial in itself is a language of ideology. It is not usual to criticize a memorial because it is considered a valid expression of collective values through a statue or an object in the public space. And that is something we wanted to play with. [mš] A memorial is not neutral, it evokes emotions. We can surely remember the pleasure of tearing down statues after the revolution. That’s something nearly mythical. [pm] A memorial is certainly closely bound to myth, ideology and feelings it awakens. Even when its appearance is comical – from pathos to kitsch, for example. That is a political consequence of this connection. And we want to know what the memorial means in this time and how we can it be changed, how can we change its ideology and how it influences the public space.
215
Installation view at the exhibition Shadows of humor in BWA – Awantgarda, Wroclaw, Poland, 2006
Converse 2004 – 2005
Converse / Pode Bal (PM) Hypothesis: The most visible signs of cultural differences in
Czech cannibalism / Iza Kowalczyk, Shadows of Humor – przykra sprawa – czeska wystawa, 2006, (excerpt)
the “clash of civilizations“ are mutually compatible in the backdrop of economic interests of the big players of the global marketplace. If it will be possible to join the most notorious symbols of alienated cultures (Euro-American and Arabian) into potentially functional units, it will result in some fundamental change of
The term cannibalism was first used by Columbus as a mark
these symbols. The newly created synthetic signs may offer
for “barbarian“ practices of eating human flesh. Zygmunt
a different perspective with respect to their use in their home
Bauman, with a reference to Claude Levi-Strauss, says:
cultures as well as of the cultural structures themselves.
“Cannibalism quickly became a definition and evidence of the barbarian ways of savages.“ We pretended as if we had
Method: The choice of notorious signs of both cultures, their
nothing in common with them, that all that is dark, savage
unison in a way which would enable a creation of a new hybrid
and “inhuman“ is foreign to us. And in the effort to be most
sign while maintaining maximum possible functionality.
human and most civilized, we ourselves started practicing
The new combinations must sustain their object functions and
“cannibalism“. Bauman further says: “In modern anthropological
their meaning in levels of significance must not be destroyed
approach there is no place for any relational dialectics.
(although it can be and probably will be shifted or even
The gap between us and the others became absolute and
changed.) In the ideal case both levels should be “improved“
final. Separation couldn’t show its relativity in regards to the
with the result of future possibility of such an amalgamation.
perspective of reunion. Its definiteness must be supported by a material or symbolic annihilation of the other.“ And that is
Realization: An installation in a classical gallery space with
what the work of the Pode Bal group speaks about: the tradi-
ongoing presentations for specific target groups: managers of
tional burqas or Arabic scarfs bear company logos: Adidas and
the “stricken“ companies, journalists and local representatives
Nike, a kinjal is stylized as a Swiss army knife and a turban
of Arabic cultures.
made of Gore-tex is placed in a water display just like in the adds. In the eastern clothes like the burqa, meaning lies in
Context: Converse can be viewed from many angles and the
covering the body and the body is expressed only through the
results are always ambiguous. At the simplest level (which
attire. The “other“ has disappeared, there is no more excep-
will be presented to the managers) the project can be under-
tionality, it was marked by our logo, put into our system of
stood as rebranding of Arabian culture through its specific
values. Almost like a slave it was marked by a symbol of con-
products, symbolically representative of the Arabic culture in
sumer culture. Another culture must thus be symbolically
general. Presently, brands have a dominant characteristic fea-
swallowed and integrated into the rules of our neoliberalist
ture: they parasite on the existing values, concepts and tradi-
(and directly neo-cannibalist) system.
tions for the purpose of connecting them to the product the company is trying to sell. Thus the meaning of the company’s conduct shifts from the originally exclusive and comprehensible sale of products to a far more complicated rearticulation of cultural concepts and ideologies. If famous brands like Nike, Adidas or Victorinox want to enter Islamic markets, they would have to behave the same way. If they attempt the import of Euroamerican concepts together with their brands
216
Left: installation view at the exhibition Shadows of humor in BWA – Awantgarda, Wroclaw, Poland, 2006 Right: installation view at the Prague Biennale 2, Praha, 2005
and products, they would never succeed in the same measure
under the hegemony of dominant euroamerican ideologies,
as they managed in their original context. But if they
we can counter by saying this process is already on the way
successfully appropriated some of the visible categories
and attempts to isolate any endemic cultural practice is
which symbolize the Arabic culture, it would necessarily
violence in today’s reality. The effect of globalization is multidi-
come to a shift in the meaning of these categories and at the
rectional and Converse can also be interpreted, in its symbolic
same time a change in understanding these brands would
level as a means of pointing that out. The key measure for all
occur: from the purely Euroamerican identity (or the identity
eventual interpretations must be the extent of the possibility
of a different, sometimes even adversarial world) towards
to realize the project outside of the artistic context.
the universal and more acceptable identity. Because these brands will always be linked to their referential, Euroamerican
Next steps: Converse will receive additions of other synthetic
culture it can result in an increase of acceptability of this culture
signs, new products implementing typical Euro-American
and thus to a greater interconnection of these disjointed
strategies of “problem solving” in the Muslim cultures (i.e..
cultures. In support of this project Converse Pode Bal will
Wella Gray – grey beard die). It will be exhibited as a whole
organize presentations under the title “United Brands for
in some European metropolis (we prefer London), and in a
World Peace.“
metropolis of the Middle East. The goal of the accompanying presentations is to convince any of the manufacturers to pro-
The presentation of a peace solution of the “clash of the civi-
duce one or more of the Converse objects for the market
lizations” through global branding, however sincerely put, will
outside of the art world. The naive assertion at the presenta-
always imply a critique of the involved brands to some ears;
tions, that it is possible to achieve world peace through
alternatively will bring an undisputed proof that the speakers
commercial branding, is so flagrant, that no representative
are completely out of their minds. The critical mass of the
of a corporation would dare to say it. It is however possible,
project could be simplified; that the behavior of international
that they will be glad to support it if it is professed by a third
corporations is at the base level purely cynical in their crusade
party, especially from the cultural sphere.
for profit and that the corporations themselves don’t care about human rights. Instead of striving for support of
A commentary on the objects
women’s rights, for instance, they willingly put their brands
– Burqa Nike: the rebranded burqa with the Nike swoosh
on one of the most notorious symbols of gender
becomes more of a fashion article than a means of covering
discrimination – the burqa.
oneself. With the strengthening of a similar trend, it would
But such interpretation isn’t altogether acceptable, because
be possible to imagine the marginalization of the former
from the perspective of “our” culture, we are incapable to
function of the burqa until a phase of complete useless-
reliably evaluate the meaning of such cultural products and
ness. At that point it would be acceptable to wear, for
symbols as the aforementioned burqa, the turban, or
example, a completely transparent burqa by Diesel, etc.
Buzkashi – the traditional Afghan sport, played on horseback
And since the burqa is worn by a great number of potential
with the cadaver of a goat.
customers, and there are no indications that this trend or the market should change anytime soon, it would be a very
The eventual rebranding of these cultural symbols in the
successful move for a brand like Nike to enter this market.
sense of “western” branding could lead to greater intercon-
Women could be interested in such a rebranded burqa, as it
nection of meaning of both cultural spheres. There is no rea-
offers, in this traditionally endemic product, a fresh concept
son why, for example, a turban made of Gore-tex couldn’t
of the active western woman, without the expense of real
become a common addition to the equipment of the Austrian
emancipation. This sort of trend would inevitably start a one
alpinist. To the classical objection, that this would lead to
way process of change of perception of all involved signs
homogenization of diverse cultures and to their globalization
and signified.
217
– Turban Gore-tex: easily realizable commercial project. Turban-as-sign is corruptible by its practical usability. It serves as a cover and protection of the head; in case of its Gore-tex version, it would also protect from the rain and would acquire all the basic abilities of the material. As such, it could be sold in European and American outdoor shops and eventually become a usual addition to the equipment of the modern mountain climber. With such eventual development, it would inevitably come to the assimilation of the turban-as-a-sign, signifying an affiliation with certain cultures. In the Afghan mountains, the Gore-tex turban could become a sign of wealth and prestige (Gore-tex is expensive), already however through a Western character of such signification. – Jambia Victorinox: the same principle as with the other rebranded products. In Yemen and Qatar, the jambia is more of a symbol of manhood, than a functional dagger. This sort of anchor in tradition implies a stable demand on the market and there is no reason why this market should not be entered by i.e.. the famous Swiss manufacturer of knives Victorinox. Besides its attractive design modification, the jambia would acquire multiple handy functions enabled by the tools within the handle. The average customer in Qatar would, together with the rebranded jambia, purchase the image of progress of Western technology. And as with the other Converted products, while the transformation of the Jambia-as-a-sign would not be explicit at first, it would eventually be irreversible. – Buzkashi Roteiro: In a nutshell, Buzkashi is a sort of a rugby played on horseback with the cadaver of a domestic animal, mostly a small goat. It could be a very lucrative venture for a corporation like Adidas, to support a rebranded version of this traditional Afghan sport. If it could succeed with a slight cosmetic change – the replacement of the dead animal by some form of a “ball” (i.e. a larger leather object with a shape vaguely reminiscent of the formerly used goat, naturally in the Roteiro design and provided with the Adidas logo), it would be a step in the direction of cultivation of the game in the Western sense: the elimination of the morbid for a more acceptable Western version. The game itself could then make an entry into the club of all-time favorite sports like polo for example, or the above-mentioned rugby. – Guthra Hermes Paris: the same case as with the burqa Nike: the guthra would heighten its status as a fashion element, and its former symbolic function would go through a revitalization through the luxurious French brand. And since there exists a certain long-term affection between France and Palestine, it is possible that the rebranding of the guthra would be a smooth operation and the transformation of the guthra-as-a-sign would be difficult to fathom in its first stages.
218
219
Reaction Painting October 2005 / Pode Bal (PM) Hypothesis: There is a definite disproportion in the perception of the symbols of the two main criminal ideologies of the 20th Century: Communism and Nazism. While symbols of the Nazi regime evoke very negative emotions and reactions and are categorically unacceptable for society, symbols of Communism are perceived more as curious antiquities and are overall acceptable for the same society. Analogically, the totalitarian regimes they represent tend to be perceived as a relatively harmless folkloric aberrations of European history.
Method: Violating the law against presenting symbols of criminal regimes in public space – the public comparison of Nazi and Communist symbols in the same context, by means of traditional significants of art: painting with acrylic on canvas in the open air.
Realization: A performance in public space, during which one group painted symbols of Communism and another group Nazi symbols, without any prior explanation. The original intent was to let the action have its effect on the passers-by, with the expectation that someone would call the police and the performance would continue while confronting the legal system, whose law it had deliberately broken. In the end, though, we decided to invite Czech TV, which had expressed interest in the action. At the time of the happening, the presence of TV cameras changed the character of the action and also anti-communist activists, summoned by the television crew, notified the police deliberately. This artificial intervention canceled the possibility to view the project on an experimental level. Thanks to the media participation, the project received a far greater audience, but only as a part of a specific point of view, presented by the reporters of CT, and became therefore invalid in our eyes. The police intervention and confiscation of the paintings for legal inspection may provide further value, however. To our best knowledge, it is the first time since 1989, when works of art will be examined by court experts for possible ideological defects. The case was also given to a state prosecutor, who can decide to press charges. Left above and bellow: Police protocol regarding a painting with communist symoblic of AntonĂn Kopp and a resolution about its returrn to the author.
220
FlagellanT-shirts November 2005 / Pode Bal (PM)
One such form could be a hyperbolic refusal of any dialogue concerning the taboo topics. Another unconventional method of confronting society with its taboos is parasitism of the archetype of a saint who himself decides to “suffer“ for the
Hypothesis: The Czech society hasn’t yet managed to
others. This role, today unthinkable, has an aspect of incom-
square up with its historical misdeeds and these have been
prehensibility, despite its ironic character. In the end it is a
transferred into the level of taboo. Presently this is manifested
transgressive examination of the border, beyond which there
by the unwillingness to accept responsibility for our own
is no dialogue, only taboo.
failures and the solution is sought in the stereotypical search for someone to blame. If the taboo is disturbed on purpose
Next steps: Installation of the text “I am a czech coward...”
through a paraphrase of historical traumas (e.g. Nazi or
in a public space along with the T-shirt campaign. The concept
Communist collaboration), the society will react inappropriately:
will be modified for use in other European countries, where
by silence, nationalist rhetoric, or censorship.
we will produce similar transgressive texts concerning local taboos and print them on T-shirts. In time we will develop
Method: Transgression of a taboo; articulation of taboo topics
a European T-shirt collection branded Modern Flagellant.
and its installation into a public space in the simplest form –
We are also considering the possibility of a website offering
the text message: “I AM A CZECH COWARD, WHO LOOKED
the collection as products without artistic connotations.
ON AS THEY LOADED THE JEWS, HAILED THE NAZIS, WAVED TO THE COMMUNISTS AND THEN WANTED THE SECURITY OF A TENFOLD”* At the same time, members of Pode Bal will be wearing T-shirts with the same inscription. These will also be sold under the mark of FlagelanT-shirts and their sale will be explained through a therapeutic effect of the personal acceptance of collective guilt. The concept of historical failure thus gets into a bit of a trivial level of a T-shirt claim and the whole problem potentially moves into a position of an unsuccessful trend.
Realization: Installation of an inscription was planned along with the 2. Multi-cultural festival in Lucerna Palace in Prague. But the representatives of the Multi-cultural centre finally decided against the installation, because of protests from Lucerna’s owner. The project was limited to the sale of the T-shirts during one of the evenings of the festival.
Context: The taboo topics of most societies cause discontent whenever mentioned. A taboo can be articulated in an unconventional enough form that it will lead to a confusion of the original relationship between the society and the taboo. *(“security of a tenfold” was a popular slogan of one of the privatization campaigns, resulting in massive “tunneling“ (asset stripping) of public trust funds in the early 1990s in the Czech Republic)
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Eagles 2004 – 2005 / Pode Bal (PM)
will together evoke incubators. One of the variations incorporates a kinetic mechanism, which enables the object to quiver slightly at irregular intervals.
Background: The project, which was designed specifically
Context: The eagle is clearly the most frequently used
for the city of Bolzano in collaboration with the European
territorial symbol of Europe. The two most famous variations
Academy (EURAC), was supposed to reflect the concept of
– the fascist and the Nazi – only accent the age-long European
“unity in diversity”. Bolzano is a culturally divided city, with its
political program based on aggression and territorial warfare.
German and Italian inhabitants settled symbolically on either
With this in mind, Pode Bal also proposed a public space
side of the river. The war for cultural and political dominance
installation in the form of silhouettes of these known heraldic
is fought mainly on the grounds of symbols – statues,
eagles onto glass facades in the city as a hyperbolic reiteration
memorials and the names of streets and squares. Due to this
of the conflict. Another installation was to introduce a lexicon
conflict, Bolzano has the biggest concentration of fascist
of eagles in the space of EURAC, enabling the identification of
symbols from the Mussolini era, when, incidentally, it had
various eagles as political symbols. Fascist and Nazi eagles
undergone a massive industrialization and resettlement of an
would also be offered to souvenir shops in the common form
italian population which until then formed a small minority.
of large decorative objects, moving their wings after pulling
The proposed project by Pode Bal was concerned with
their string. A dramatization of the war of symbols is therefore
a conflict going on at the time over the decoration of a bridge
implied by the synthesis of the installations. The intention is
connecting the German and Italian sides of the city. Initially
therefore to bring the duel of symbols to an absurd level, in
it bore large statues of fascist eagles from the 1930s, which
reflection of their use for current political disputes in the city.
were removed shortly after the war. At the time of the
At the same time, it is a somewhat ironic answer to the
project, the Italian side had been campaigning for their return
EURAC presented topic “unity in diversity”, which in its
onto the bridge. The Germans were against the idea.
political correctness lacks any ambition to reflect the influence
A photograph of the bridge with the original eagles even
of history on the political present of this small Tyrollean city.
made an election billboard of the Unitalia party, lobbying for
(It is also interesting in this context to mention the project of
an “Italian Bolzano”.
the conceptualist Marcel Broodthaers, Museum of Modern Art, Department of Eagles, from 1968.)
Method: Creation of an alternative installation for the bridge and offering it as a “solution” to the conflict. In this case it was a specific reaction to a unique situation and since the project proposed a “permanent solution”, it was necessary to maintain a simple form. The installation is an allusion to the conflict itself and to the ever-present cause.
Realization: The installation will comprise of 12 objects (170 x 120 cm) in the form of large eggs. The eggs will be installed into the existing stone “nests” under the existing lamps that
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Freude Durch Kaufen / Pode Bal (PM)
such designated spaces have their own regulations and strict rules, often in addition to the standard laws of the society. Auto-regulated behavior is practiced in these territories, not
Hypothesis: There are certain similarities between
unlike in the 19th Century prisons conceived as “panopticons”
concentration camps and large scale entertainment-shopping
as described by Michel Foucault.
centers. The hypothesis is most likely transgressive as it can
(Similar example: Israeli project of artificial islands with a carefully
be interpreted as a depreciation of a specific historical
planned infrastructure and only one passage connecting them
experience of Europe with the detailed and elaborate system
with the adjacent shore, designed as a solution of the
of liquidation of large amounts of persons and its connection
overpopulated land with an alleged benefit of greater security)
with the relatively benign phenomena of shopping centers.
Next steps: Architectural project exploring the possibilities of Method: Contrast of form and content; a connection of
a “new concentration camp” with a specific layout, program,
a certain valid statement (that money enables one a significant
aesthetics and an exclusive and member based entrance
amount of happiness in the current sense of the term) with
regulations; the project would be then offered in a competition
a notorious form of signage known from the entrance gates of
for a shopping center under a fictitious (or real) architectural
nazi concentration camps. A connection of a rather trivial and
studio.
in itself mostly positive articulation of a certain understanding of contemporary values with the semiology connected with certain results of earlier applied ideologies.
Realization: A luminous installation onto the unfinished shopping and entertainment center on Landsberger Alee in Berlin, directly opposite to a functional shopping center. (The building had not been finished, because the project went bankrupt in the process. Ironically it is not possible to tear it down, because its concrete structure meanwhile became a territory of a strictly protected endemic bird and the demolition had been blocked by environmental activists.)
Context: Big shopping and entertainment centers are in principle an inverse application of the initial idea of concentration camps. In them we are creating centers for the privileged, that are safe (because of maximum surveillance and regulation) and that expel negative phenomena without the limit of their borders. The contemporary society doesn’t transfer its problematic aspects into ghettos anymore as much as it pushes them out of certain designated boundaries, that contain another form of ghettos only with an opposite perspective. Even so, they share certain formal procedures:
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Flagellants June 2006
heirs of national sins. We feel the presence of reprehension, a space for manipulation which happens from an early age, a discrepancy between the brutality of the testimony and the clarity of inexperience. We are standing in front of an offer
Searching our conscience at the wall/ Klára Vomáčková, weekly A2, June 2006
which switches on our defense mechanisms – we are standing in front of clearly set facts. Such explicitness is revolting. On the other hand, answers to why we didn’t fight, why we allowed the wrongs on the innocent, denunciate each other
Pode Bal once again touched a raw nerve, although carefully
or do not speak out, or are not so clear.
deadened – Flagellants, a new conceptual provocation of this art group, confronts us with our recent past.
WE contra YOU This huge WE and YOU, we will suffer because you are not
Seven Czech national sins can be seen until July 2nd on the
willing to accept responsibility, has a character of a warning or
wall of the Prague Letná. Seven children stare at us there,
even a hidden threat. The viewer becomes a part of the guilty
from huge stone frames, with signs around their necks offer-
whole, in this case a nation which prefers the atmosphere of
ing all sorts of flagellant pleasures. (e.g. “You don’t have to
“de-concerned history“ in place of clear, direct reconciliation
suffer anymore because we handed our weapons over to
with the past. The collective guilt which radiates from the
Hitler.“; “You don’t have to suffer anymore because we used
roughly sketched slogans is shaped in the mouths of the
to denounce each other during the Normalization. I will suffer
youngest generation which embodies the hope for a “better
for you.“ And so on.)
future“. The collapse of values, of national character, is here understood as an irreversible fact which has to be dealt with,
In the pre-election visual raid of stupid messages these seven
face to face with the future.
burning sentences work as a grounding blow – it stopped the
Flagellants refuse the non-existence of collective responsibility
voter’s hand with the envelope, reminded, hurt a bit. On the
– they operate with the collective fault as a given and that’s
way around the wall at Letná which thanks to the Center of
why their utterance is so strong. Through the individual, they
Contemporary Art changed into a clever gallery, ART WALL
attack the nation and national identity in which the authors
gallery, many could gulp bitterly. Why does someone remind
apparently believe, despite the problematic and problematized
us of these fatal moments which are so successfully gone?!
character of this issue. Both carry with themselves a negative legacy, war-time or Communist, the marks of unruly nationalism,
Direct divulgence
abuse and political populism. If then the agonizing slogans call
Pode Bal hasn’t left their concept of direct attack and basically
for historical introspection, it is with the goal to give these
continues in the line of projects which don’t spare our anxiously
notions back a meaning that would be in harmony with the
protected democracy. The politically motivated actions of
moral values of democracy. The question is how to smooth
artists, who among other things examine the impact of adver-
the crumpled history, how to settle honestly with the sins of
tising, follow us from 1998. There were about ten actions
the “weaker self“, in this case the “weaker self“ of a few
In public space, not counting the projects abroad. Flagellants
generations. Pressure inside the steam-pot of Czech guilt
are another one from this row of serious acts. And there isn't
remains strong. National pride becomes an empty proclama-
a better place than the controversial, ideologically “damaged“
tion used most often in connection with the results of our
display at Letná whose wall and top were abused by the com-
sportsmen. If we want to be a nation at all, not to say a proud
munists for their propaganda.
one, there is no other way but to tear down the walls separating the two realities – the dreamy and comfortable one and
The flagellants with their baby faces silently bear the fate of
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the real one with its past.
Watch out, past is coming back Pode Bal’s Flagellants look like the seven Fairy Godmothers. The choice of children carriers was an easy one of course – who else but our children could attack our self-confidence? There are many abandoned inscriptions on Prague walls. But on a child’s neck they look scary, when we consider the consequences: if we keep our back to the past, it’s broken spine will never heal. Memory is an important source of any progress but if it is being silenced in the name of comfort and better future, it becomes a whip. A whip of a flagellant. Seven underage volunteers are prepared to “cleanse“ the imagined nation from the guilts it had brought onto itself. Somewhat sardonic offers of self-sacrifice illustrate the redemption which we can gain only through the suffering of the innocent. The easiest way would be just to accept their offers. We would thus maintain our comfortable distance and wouldn’t risk any useless heroism. The question remains if it is really a voluntary redemption.
Attack of public space Art in public space is generally accepted more as the temporary aesthetic refinement of the city scape. The general repulsiveness of memorials, caused by the ideological misuse of public spaces in recent times, has presently transformed into a certain indifference towards public space in itself. Until recently, the “essential“ had been happening at home, in private. That is why the ART WALL gallery is an important project – it gives back meaning to the public space, it points to the fact that we can, we even have to “get back out there“. The project of the Pode Bal group, although intentionally controversial, is not just a simple provocation. To discuss if similarly motivated actions are art or not would in this context mean just one thing – a turn from content to form once again. Surely it is positive that the project was supported by the Municipality of Prague, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the State Cultural Foundation of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. Ironically, the opening and a part of the project took place in the Hunt Kastner Artworks Gallery, run by Camille Hunt and Katherine Kastner, which has only one thing to do with Czech identity – it is based in Prague.
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EXCERPT FROM A DISCUSSION ON WWW.AKTUALNE.CZ Date:29.05.200614:56 Author:Patriot IP:[62.84.153.*] Title:Bastards Bastards and the traitors of the nation spit on their own nation for German money. What more to say... When the National party wins the elections, all these “artists“, the perverse art and all the society waste will quickly pack their suitcases and run away to hide under the protection of their benefactors like collaborant rats... Date:29.05.200615:05 Author:A proud Czech IP:[160.218.169.*] Title:Re: Bastards And when it wins, will the truth be forbidden again? Will we be tapping our shoulders and say how great we are and envy everything to everyone? Well, I probably won’t vote the National party. Date:29.05.200615:20 Author:patri...what? IP:[195.70.145.*] Title:Re: Bastards This National party of yours is pretty fucked up. Wait for the Czech People’s Party.
Date:29.05.200616:49 Author:Sir IP:[195.113.0.*] Title:Re: Bastards Go to hell, you hailing swine! Date:29.05.200617:24 Author:Tomáš IP:[212.96.169.*] Title:Re: Bastards Exactly, such sods! The Germans gave us enough during the war, and they wanted to put some bloody balls with the Sudetes at Hradčany! They are the tratiors really. Date:29.05.200617:42 Author:lachta IP:[62.40.68.*] Title:Re: Bastards I would beat them up those “artists“ as well but this National party of yours is not my cup of coffee. Date:29.05.200615:01 Author:Václav IP:[82.113.47.*] Title:OOPS,THIS WILL MAKE ANGRY A LOT OF CZECHS, IT’S A TRICKY TOPIC – COLLABORATION, IMMORALITY CONTRA RESPONSIBILITY, HUMBLENESS.... Date:29.05.200615:08 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto:nnnn@nnnn.cz"nn
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IP:[80.83.66.*] Title:art Exhibitionist in a park + marketing = contemporary committed artist Date:29.05.200615:12 Author:dodo IP:[82.208.10.*] Title:What a beauty! They and their parents and grandparents must be saints. Date:29.05.200616:55 Author:C2H6 IP:[195.47.80.*] Title:Re: What a beauty! Not to be a bastard – a new dimension of being?
ents? One is not allowed to want them to admit their fault? Well then the Germans would’nt get too far in the sixties. Ask your parents what they were doing at the time of the communists and why. But you would have to have the courage first. Date:29.05.200615:18 Author:Cech IP:[84.242.95.*] Title:Dirt Of course, during the war only the Gypsies were suffering. And that is why we will keep going to work and feed them and they in return will keep raising the birthrate. Go and take your posters to Chánov and don’t bother ordinary people.
Date:29.05.200615:14 Author:Miror IP:[212.80.64.*] Title:We are what we are. Everybody is different and in a certain situation everyone acts differently. It is good that we are different, do you think it would be better if we were all the same and we all behaved the same? That’s a dilemma. I think that no one can make up a better solution than the Creator. Whatever you do. In the world there is the good and the bad and there is often the truth in “the thief screams: catch the thief!“ Not everyone who criticizes deserves criticizing. I’m convinced that there is a direct proportion.
Date:30.05.20065:55 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: mila@msn.com"mila IP:[201.133.113.*] Title:Re: Dirt Sure, during the war only the Czechs suffered (or the Jews), what about the Germans they got the worst of it. But the Czechs – that’s something better, the Germans are junk? You wretched little Czech bastard – let the Germans be flagellants that’s what you would like.
The more is someone criticizing, the more he drugs away attention from his own “evils“.
Title:OUR ARTISTS! It is typical that the criticized Anticharta was signed mostly by „artists“, these people of free spirit. They castigate this, next time that, they can’t miss any petition and mostly they mercilessly criticize the „vices of the Czech nation into which they somehow don’t belong. Of course, except for the money from the state budget, they will never refuse those.
Date:29.05.200615:18 Author:dodo IP:[82.208.10.*] Title:Re: We are what we are. That’s the truth. Date:29.05.200615:17 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: Lood@centrum.cz"Normal IP:[58.33.137.*] Title:You don’t mean that I want to know who is paying for this? I don’t know a nation which has no collaborants but this is too much. I think there was enough flagellantism and that this is a derision and contempt for people who fought with any totalitarian regime. We can only hope that the authors of the exhibition are from families which were through thick and thin on the right side and I thank them very much for this. Or is it some “expelled“ Sudetes German who contributes to the whipping post of the Czech conscience? Date:30.05.20067:47 Author:Richard IP:[24.239.155.*] Title:Re: You don’t mean that And why could’t their critic aim at their par-
Date:29.05.200615:18 Author:ooo IP:[193.85.170.*]
Date:29.05.200615:20 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: troppkaty@email.cz"tch IP:[83.240.16.*] Title:...And it is...here! Finally with those who NEVER HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING!!! Pode Bal really shakes them!!! We hope so!!! The reality is not one-sided and monochrome, but to hold back and ignore our own crimes can not be done forever!!! It would be fair for the sake of those who then fought, suffered and defended themselves at the expense of their life! Date:30.05.20068:11 Author:vážně IP:[213.220.226.*] Title:Re: ...And it is...here! Mister tch, who was suffering in here, you think the brothers Mašíns? I know people
who really fought, in Spain, in Britain, not like you like a fly on the wall, and today they are considered criminals because they believed the idea about the more rightful society, and what became of this idea thanks to people of your kind is something else. Nothing is black and white, people lived in here just how they were able to, and today it is in to speak about the parents as of a written-off society and they are the only righteous and right ones in a situation when they don’t have to solve anything and take care of anything, they even don’t know the horror the people who are 80 today experienced, go to hell with your stupid blurb. Date:29.05.200615:28 Author:drzoun IP:[193.85.170.*] Title:I DIDN’T LOCK UP ANYONE I only wanted to tell the honourable artists that I’m a Czech but I surely didn’t lock up any Gipsies into concentration camps. And I don’t know anyone from my surrounding who did. And sorry, one more thing: I don’t feel I’m better or worse than a Russian, French, Dutch, Dane or someone else. Recently I read how the Polish resist fiercely to admit their guilt in the massacre in Jedwabne where the Polish village people in 1941 rushed the local Jews into a barn and burnt it. Therefore I’m not surprised
that now I have to eat humble pie for the German’s who created some camp during the protectorate. Date:29.05.200618:47 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: skliba@centrum.cz"jana IP:[85.70.5.*] Title:Re: I DIDN’T LOCK UP ANYONE But the camp was supervised by the Czechs, they were wardens in there, they took part in the deportations. In 1943 Hitler praised the Czechs for being a loyal nation. Pode Bal only holds the mirror up to us... Date:30.05.20061:13 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: a7764715@centrum.cz"Maveric IP:[62.141.24.*] Title:Re: I DIDN’T LOCK UP ANYONE ...And what about the Slovaks whose government sold their own Jews into a concentration camp to the Germans – a piece for 400 German Marks... in any nation there is something, and only one kind of people can make a “business“ of these moral cock-up – the “artists“, similar idiots make stupid soap operas and Hollywood blockbusters – horrors about human monsters, phantasmagoric jumbles full of blood, they make up “reality shows“ etc. and all of this just for
money – no sense, no moral or any respect to anything and anyone. Date:30.05.20068:18 Author:ala IP:[213.220.226.*] Title:Re: I DIDN’T LOCK UP ANYONE Little stupid Jana, if you read a bit from the history you would learn that the Poles and Hungarians bowed and scraped Hitler in the hope of gaining a bit of the Czech and Slovak border and the Ukraine, how the Poles reported on Czechs, you shouldn’t be just consuming the crap on TV. Better read the period documents, then you will not make a fool of yourself, Czechs are no better or worse than other nations and even a pig doesn’t shit into his sty. I don’t understand where so much hate to our native land in the people who leave it whatever the reasons are. Date:30.05.200619:45 Author:Dan IP:[86.49.106.*] Title:Re: I DIDN’T LOCK UP ANYONE Dear colleague, Jana is not showing stupid. She wrote a very fitting observation. And other nations have nothing to do with it, the Pode Bal group doesn’t bring them in the game neither. Date:29.05.200615:29 Author:1984 IP:[86.49.104.*]
Title:Stupidity Don’t give me this flagellantism. Who wants he can eat humble pie if they like it. Date:29.05.200615:31 Author:PetrN IP:[84.42.236.*] Title:Comrades from Podjebal Comrades from Podjebal, I didn’t sign the Anticharta, I didn’t lock up the Gypsies and I didn’t hail at the Vencelaus square so the resume is: Fuck off!!! Date:29.05.200615:33 Author:Dan IP:[195.113.206.*] Title:Great... That’s a great idea. Interesting. Provocative. And for the little Czech it must be “galling“... But at least this could start a discussion... more of it. Dan. PS: The above mentioned contribution fits exactly the theory about the fact that NS means Nazi rather than National party. Date:29.05.200617:45 Author:Arogorn IP:[212.71.148.*] Title:Re: Great... The terms “Nazi“, “nazism“ etc. are nothing else but a shortening of “national socialist“. Hitler’s party is in Czech called “National socialist (or social) German work-
ers party“. In itself all these are nice words. The only problem is what can hide behind such nice and popular words. :) Date:30.05.200619:41 Author:Dan IP:[86.49.106.*] Title:Re: Great... Of course you are right... I’m sorry. But we all know what I thought by that? :) Date:29.05.200615:34 Author:Piky IP:[193.85.202.*] Title: No disrespect but wouldn’t it be better to organize an exhibition which would support national pride and show something nice, some heroes of that time, “models“ for the future? Or at least both sides of the coin. There is enough bad things even without that. Date:29.05.200615:39 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:about he who smelt it dealt it One saying says that those who smelt it dealt it. And that there is nothing worse than smashing into an idiot. Saying this to all the patriots etc. Someone in here didn’t understand the sense of this performance. Just a few stupidos go angry and showed their outrage about the offense of the nation and their
persona. It serves them right. I’m not offended. And there is a lot of truth in those words. It there wasn’t then it is not a touchy topic anymore and not so many people would be lead by the nose. Date:29.05.200615:42 Author:Dan IP:[195.113.206.*] Title:Re: about he who smelt it dealt it Just exactly as you say... I’m glad there are some intelligent people on the Internet... I didn’t hope there are anymore;-). Date:30.05.20068:20 Author:ala IP:[213.220.226.*] Title:Re: about he who smelt it dealt it Everytime I hear someone saying that there is nothing worse than smashing into an idiot I must think if he knows exactly that he himself is not the idiot. How can he be so sure? Date:30.05.20069:54 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: about he who smelt it dealt it I can’t be sure, of course :) Date:29.05.200615:41 Author:Stauff IP:[193.165.188.*] Title:Haha They are idiots:-))))
Date:29.05.200615:41 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: tattoo@email.cz"MK IP:[212.80.64.*] Title:degradee... Waving flag at the times of Husák is socially humiliating, waving at Havel and Klaus isn’t? Where do you find the certainty of the moral purity of the today society???
pers, watch any media, everywhere are lies and brainwashing, most important is that no one notices what is being prepared. For example the rocket ranges, so that the little citizen wouldn’t want to decide things for those up there, its always the same and for many people even worse.
Date:29.05.200615:55 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: degradee... But you can’t have that ever. Everybody must be responsible for himself and his conviction – which today they can do freely. And that without any physical or mental victimization. And I think that a sensible and intelligent individual would never criticize anyone – but that shows that the person e.g. doesn’t like Havel but Havel’s opinions are in harmony with his opinions. But that is a personal opinion level. Today you don’t have to and aren’t forced to wave to anyone...
Date:30.05.20069:53 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: degradee... My limited advice. Don’t read that shit – you don’t have to. You have enough possibilities to express yourself, there is no censorhsip, you have a possibility of choice also in the media and in discusion. It is really a tragedy...
Date:29.05.200616:22 Author:julda IP:[82.150.189.*] Title:Re: degradee... Well in the last years we didn’t got waving at the times of Husák – those who were not afraid. Date:30.05.20068:36
Author:ala IP:[213.220.226.*] Title:Re: degradee... You see, Mr Marwin, your dullness has no limits. Today there is no one who would force me to wave to Havel, but all the time there is someone who tells me what is the only and right opinion. Listen and read the media and you will learn that only the right opinion is the correct one, that the leftists are mentally retarded, indolent, unequal, envious, etc. You will learn that what they wrote about the war and Nazis just after the war isn’t true, everything is the other way, just like the new and cleverer educators of the nations say. Ten years old children will tell you that a Russian is the worst monster, that if you don’t have a chance to go to the theatre, the only media that can give you a bit of education and culture just vomit over you loads of shit and absolute ideological propaganda – how much better is the regime of today? You are wrapped around by the webs of offices so much that you have no chance that the laws of this Absurdistan can fleece you so they couldn’t manage in the 1950s, that you can be any time rid of your freedom if you just are in a wrong place in the wrong moment, go to hell with your better society. One cannot read newspa-
Date:29.05.200615:57 Author:Pišta IP:[217.168.208.*] Title:Re: degradee... You have to go waving at the May 1st to Havel and Klaus? Where do you live? Date:29.05.200616:04 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: degradee... Such a pity that so many people have their heads only to wear hats on it – your case:) Date:29.05.200616:17
Author:MK IP:[212.80.64.*] Title:Re: degradee... Those waving to Husák – did they have to wave? I know this discussion is not about this, but they wanted to wave and that IS the difference. Of course the today’s society is free and it appropriates also things it doesn’t belong to it. That’s an opinion of the head to wear hat on only... Date:29.05.200616:23 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: degradee... I don’t think they wanted to wave – they wouldn’t get a point if they wouldn’t or they would have problems... Date:30.05.20068:41 Author:ala IP:[213.220.226.*] Title:Re: degradee... Dear Marwin – mister washed brain, I didn’t wave to anyone for forty years and I didn’t notice any recourse for it, but you seem to be afflicted seriously. Who didn’t want he didn’t wave, that’s just as it is today. Who thought he might benefit from that he could wave his hands off and today he keeps telling other what collaborants they were. Date:29.05.200615:45
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Author:Uvozhřený pazgřivec IP:[213.46.172.*] Title:$$$ Czechs are laughing bastards. Date:29.05.200615:53 Author:HoBr IP:[62.209.205.*] Title:Such a sad reading this discussion... The ability of elementary self-reflexion, the fact that my own behavior has some impact not only at my life but also the life in my surrounding is for most of the “debaters“ in here incomprehensible. I’m not proud of many things and many of my opinions from the time ofthe bolshevism. But I’m ashamed of this people’s stream of gushes. There are the roots of why the bolsheviks still have so much preferences. Well- that time had nothing to do with us – that is all the old Grebeníček’s fault. And now it is gone. Or is it not? Date:29.05.200621:46 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: rrogerr@centrum.cz"Karel Mueller IP:[62.190.106.*] Title:Re: Such a sad reading this discussion... This feeling of shame is not appropriate, when you say A you must also say B and see everything in exact connections. That the generation of our fathers and grandfathers (in my generation) welcomed the Russians is not so incomprehensible – if you think of Munich and the character of the war. And moreover the bolsheviks came with slogans about better and more equal society for everybody. The roots of the preferences of KSČM are different and also their voters are often much different than you think. Often it is a „negative choice“ which follows from a total disgustion in intelligent and honest people. Date:29.05.200616:00 Author:Drake IP:[82.113.55.*] Title:Not everybody This exhibition is about how to show the Czech babbitry. To survive at any price. No matter what the cost is for whom. Your honesty, your neighbours life... everything unimportant. There are many people of this kind. But this seems to me like lumping together. Especially in the time of the WWII there was not so many collaborants in our country. So why because of a few bastards all must be pilloried. It is a bit of a blow to the Czech resistance fighters. I think that the exhibition was initiated by some resettled „lame duck“. But maybe it is necessary to give the Czechs some thrashing once upon a time so that we wouldn’t think we are the navel of the world:-) Just a pity that on those who are adressed it will just slide like a shit on a plastic. Date:29.05.200616:16 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: Not everybody Consent with something and but not everything. The number of collaborants is not right. After the war they didn’t publicize the real numbers and the reason was the huge amount of collaborants and informers. There was really a lot of them and we have more such flaws in our history. The nation has never been the same after the Munich, May 1945 and February 1948. I doubt that the resistance fighters will be offended – this is not aimed at anyone exactly but as someone said in here, to the conscience of the silent majority. And most of us really were silent. And how many people called for the death of JuDr. Horáková – that were not a few people. Of course we have some famous moment we have right to be proud of but at the same time there is a lot of dark recessess. E.g. the fates of the war pilots from the West, the murders of the emigrants on the borders, 40 years of communism, collaborations during the WWII, raking in the money of Jews and suffering of innocent Germans before and after the resettlement (not every pregnant mother, old man or baby or man of German origin who were killed by fanaticized mob were chiefs in Dachau...) all this has to be understood as our history... Or there will be just
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a ridiculous propaganda just like Zdeněk Nejedlý wrote in his works... Date:29.05.200617:13 Author:Drake IP:[82.113.55.*] Title:Re: Not everybody I’m not saying that these places are not in our history. I will better not mention the times of communism. It’s not worth it. They were, they are and they will be MOTHERFUCKERS. Look at their 15% and you will see. And during the WWII. I don’t think we were a nation of collaborants. Not the Slovakian state. WHEN WE LYNCH OURSELVES SO MUCH THEN THE FRENCH WITH THEIR VICHISTIC FRANCE WOULD HAVE TO HANG THEMSELVES OUTRIGHT. I really DON’T AGREE that most Czechs were fascist collaborants. But the exhibition is aimed against communists. Or that is at least the actual theme. They deserve it. Maybe some of the 15 % of idiots could wake up. But to shed tears with a slogan: Sorry that we were hailing – I don’t like that. Date:29.05.200616:03 Author:drzoun IP:[193.85.170.*] Title:offences Warning for the „brave“ Dan: I’m a Czech. I don’t know if you are but I surely don’t like when you use the word čecháček (nahoře přeloženo jako LITTLE CZECH...) I don’t know if you would afford to call citizens of other nationalities such names like the Russians, the Jewish (Rusák, židáček...). I don’t think so, so please leave that for next time. I don’t like that word and except for Mr. Havel it was most used by the Minister of culture Moravec, the infamous collaborant. Date:30.05.200619:40 Author:Dan IP:[86.49.106.*] Title:Re: offences Just to explain... I am a Czech, born in Middle Bohemia, now living in Prague. The word čecháček is of course and artistic licence but it exactly catches the negative side of the Czech nation. I must say that I don’t see the positive very much... But I don’t want to argue and be injudicious. Date:29.05.200616:03 Author:Lena IP:[82.100.1.*] Title: A sad story of one collaboration My husband’s father remained in Osvětim. My husband was 6 and his mum toldhim that he helped the partisans and that is why he went to Osvětim. At that time when people lost relatives they got compensations so he asked for it. The officials of this “democratic“ country answered that his father was „asocial“ and therefore he has no claim. His father was not a Jew, a Gipsy, he wast sentenced because of some deeds and he probably had some good neighbour. But these governments give damages to some people only – with a lot of jubilation. And that they just offend many others that is not known publicly. Date:29.05.200616:21 Author:Otakar IP:[85.207.40.*] Title:Skeletons in the closet. Every state, every nation, every man has some skeleton in the closet. The only question is what you consider a skeleton and in who and how big or small the skeleton is. When Havel considered the action of Pode Bal at the Castle as inapropriate, it must have really been too much. Everyone has a right to have his opinion, even Pode Bal. They just mustn’t wonder that some people don’t agree with it and they mustn’t force this opinion to others. Using children for such an art exhibition is cowardly enough but somehow careful, as if the artist used his own face the opponent could hit the right one. He would hardly go to hit the child. Date:29.05.200616:34 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: Skeleton in the closet. For me the use of children is a part of aritstic licence. I can see many explanations and metaphors... E.g. a biblical legend about the lamb. The Jews sacrifice tha lamb for thousands of years and Jesus used the
same metaphor as well. A lamb, a child is a symbol of innocence which brings a sacrifice and washes down the sins of this world... So a child is an expressive means only – of something “clean“, untouched by the past – a symbol. Date:29.05.200617:02 Author:Otakar IP:[85.207.40.*] Title:Re: Skeleton in the closet. How many things can get into such artistic licence. Not long ago some idiot played at 6 in the morning the wailing of a muezzin in Prague as an “art project“, in Brno two other crazy actions - two art school students installed bomb fakes in public space which was a part of their “art work“. How far goes the artistic licence? I’m sorry but “the freedom of your fist ends at the tip of my nose“ and that is truth physically, mentally and morally. And in children it is truth twice also in “art“ and I’m not thinking about what the child thinks, if it understands it and what it will say when it gets some more brain later – even as a symbol. Date:29.05.200621:28 Author:marwin IP:[195.47.4.*] Title:Re: Skeletons in the closet. And how do you want to understand the old pictures and scenes from the bible – sacrifice of Isaac, the massacre of the innocents, etc.? Art has its symbols and it is without limits. What seems bad taste to one, for another is inspiring... And maybe only the reason for evoking such discussion is worth it. I really don’t think it is tasteless just like I don’t see anything tasteless in a half-naked guy with his hand and legs bleeding who is nailed to a piece of wood or at frescos showing a death of a martyr and his being skinned, or an intercourse... Actually this project seems to me to be down-to-earth. Date:30.05.20068:49 Author:ala IP:[213.220.226.*] Title:Re: Skeletons in the closet. Dear Mr Marwin, I feel that the scapegoat is us, the older generation, not the children of today, they are in the same situation as we were when we were children, they explained us the only and right opinion. They only didn’t tell us that our parents are collaborants and a lost generation as they tell it to the children of today. My mother was in the total appointment order (in German Totaleinsatz) in a German family and she took care of children and I don’t have the feeling anyone would force me to condemn her as it happens today when people don’t want to speak to their children about their lives. Date:30.05.200610:05 Author:marwin IP:[195.113.124.*] Title:Re: Skeletons in the closet. These people have a right to have their own opinion – just like you have your. The fact that you don’t likethat opinion is your problem and you can react yourself (e.g. by making a similar campaign). I like the action, you don’t and that’s actually all you can do. What do you want – to ban all the opinions, to sentence them, send the people to prison? Get used to it, that’s the way it goes in democracy... Date:29.05.200616:41 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: janhlaska@centrum.cz"honza IP:[213.195.202.*] Title:gloriole There are some people in the Middle Europe who think they have a gloriole and the rest of the Czech are just cowards and collaborants. So why they don’t go and move somewhere where only 100% people live. I myself would like to know where it is. Date:29.05.200616:44 Author:Wintergrün IP:[195.212.29.*] Title: WHEN SOMEONE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO DO IT, HE IS DOING HAPPENINGS That’s the only way how to call it, I don’t know why they get angry about it when someone doesn’t know how to do scultpures or paintings, they are doing happen-
ings or actions. These people then think what great artists they are, but actually they are just another kind of lumpenproletariat. Date:29.05.200617:04 Author:Dix IP:[83.208.134.*] Title:Re: WHEN SOMEONE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO DO IT, HE IS DOING HAPPENINGS I agree, it’s been my opinion for a long time that an artist isn’t a person who knows to do some art but someone who says he is an artist. And to the flagellantism: a certain level of this therapy is always necessary but we shouldn’t overdo it, in comparison to us the Germans, Austrians, Hungarians or Russians (and many others) would have to whip themselves to death. Date:29.05.200617:02 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: nejcest@centrum.cz"Historik IP:[85.207.11.*] Title:The conscience of the nation? Every nation has in its history a period it can be ashamed for. What about the Germans, Russians, Japanese, Chinese and others? Our effort to survive any regime – sometimes at any price – is not very good.But how can someone judge all the people and throw them into one bag? Do we all exactly know how we would behave in the same situation? In the moment when we can loose everything? We can condemn anyone quickly when we are not in danger anymore! And I don’t like the use of children, it’s the same as when they were carrying pompoms or red scarves and they couldn’t know anything about it. Date:29.05.200617:18 Author:Drake IP:[82.113.55.*] Title:Re: The conscience of the nation? A good opinion :-) Date:29.05.200617:42 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: navvy@centrum.cz"Navvy IP:[194.228.88.*] Title:Re: The conscience of the nation? Yes, that’s exactly what the henchmen of the Nazis and communists did. Date:29.05.200617:16 Author:KSM IP:[88.100.85.*] Title:Fascists.... Fascists should be sent to the concentration camp and into the gas so that they would experience what it is like!!!!!! Date:29.05.200617:22 Author:Netvor IP:[213.194.250.*] Title:Collaborants 200.000 of Czech hailed at the Venceslaus square at the remembrance ceremony for Reinhard Heydrich, the same at the Victorious February, they wanted the death penalty for Milada Horáková and co. Every year they defiled in front of the potentates from KSČ, criticized the Charta 77, ratted and informed at the time of Hitler as well as during the communist regime. We are such and we don’t want to admit it. And now you scold me! Date:29.05.200617:48 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: rrogerr@centrum.cz"Karel Mueller IP:[62.190.106.*] Title:Re: Collaborants Surely you are right but you probably don’t know the world enough if you think that elsewhere they are so much better. We don’t have any imperial past behind us neither expansive wars and I don’t want to comment the “non-failure of the nations in the WWII. Not many nations could be prouder of their history and unfortunately it is truth that the Czechs don’t have enough self-esteem and self-respect to really get up. Date:29.05.200618:06 Author:tomáš IP:[89.102.139.*] Title:you brave that spit on everything That’s a nonsense that 200.000 Czechs were hailing at the Venceslaus square at the remembrance ceremony for Reinhard Heydrich? That was no remembrance cere-
mony but a called up meeting where they were supposed to say what to do now. It was on July 3, 1942 and they announced there that that the curfew is cancelled. Absence of course meant agreeing with the assasination which resulted in execution with the whole family. And try not to come, youhero. Instead of celebrating the assassination, a deed which has no parallel in Europe, we look for something bad all the time. I don’t understand that really. Why can’t we be a little bit self-confident! What kind of fashion is this to spit on eachother and shit on our heads!!! Date:30.05.20061:20 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: a7764715@centrum.cz"Maveric IP:[62.141.24.*] Title:Re: Collaborants ...yes there was 200 000 of hailing Czech and of these there were only 250 000 of Prague Germans so now we have an absence of 50 000 Prague Germans for hailing Hitler– well and that is really a shame for that time Date:29.05.200617:23 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: kristynko@centrum.cz"Jirka IP:[85.70.135.*] Title:What? What are these idiots? It’s a bit too much with the bloody democracy, isn’t it? Date:29.05.200617:39 Author:Tim IP:[193.84.202.*] Title:Strange saviours If someone has a fixed idea that he has to take over the sins of this nation we can’t do anything against that but that is not a very original idea. They came with it 2000 years later. Instead of carrying a cross with a view of crucifixion to hang on a neck of innocent and historically uneducated children paperboard placards with the view of a wondering of their arti genius – that calls for a psychiatric examination. Date:29.05.200617:39 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto:pot@azet.sk"Zuzi IP:[84.47.22.*] Title:Stupidity look at this http://world2.monstersgame.co.uk/?ac=vid& vid=31009341 Date:29.05.200617:42 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: suk.t@centrum.cz"protonda IP:[80.95.244.*] Title:Sudetenschweine raus ! (Sudetes pigs go away!) They are coming again those who welcomed the Führer by hailing they transfer the guilt of this nation to us Czechs. Watch out! The memorial of E. Beneš and other comments of our giants are not good enough to them – they only attribute us what IS THEIR OWN FAULT, the Sudetes fifth column!!! I never heard that someone from my native city welcomed the army of Wehrmacht. I never heard that someone was revealed as an informer of the Gestapo but we have a memorial in the city which is full of the names of the people who didn’t come back from concentration camps. Bring me someone from the idiots from Podjebal and I will beat them up so that they wouldn’t poison the air in here. Bastards from Sudetes! Date:02.06.200614:22 Author:kontakt IP:[85.13.103.*] Title:Re: Sudetenschweine raus ! (Sudetes pigs go away!) e-mail: podebal@podebal.cz poštovní adresa: Pode Bal, Ditrichova 13, Praha 2,120 00, Czech Republic Petr Motyčka: +420 603160797 Michal Šiml: +420 737549279 Antonín Kopp: +420 602204723 Date:29.05.200617:50
Author:pjeer IP:[212.80.92.*] Title:Czech Collaborants were everywhere in every occupated state they were and will be rats who keep their buttocks/neck at any price, and then others who feel the possibilty to amend their hurt ego and do away with some human being. I don’t think that it is something special in Czech Republic, rats were, are and will be everywhere. Date:29.05.200617:53 Author:Ondřej IP:[212.65.229.*] Title:Pode Bal scored Without regard to the executional processing I think this work did the trick – it made people think and discuss. Some started speaking about their probity (but there is nothing inthe work that would force them to do that, if they didn’t do anything who do they want to confess?) Others are trying to play like they are art critics or art historians (according to the slogan: I understand everything even if I should look like a total idiot) and some of them put in other nations so that we Czechs wouldn’t look like yellow-bellies and collaborants (but no one asked them to do that). If the boys of Pode Bal read this discussion they will be joyos because there is nothing worse than if there is no interest in a work. Date:29.05.200618:04 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: psantrucek@quick.cz"Medvěd IP:[62.177.73.*] Title:Inapropriate flagellantism Dear artists, go to hell with this spitting on your own people. Do you want to know what fate the Germans prepared for us that you are so sorry for them? “Czechs have no place in the future of the new Europe. The racially worthy part of the Czech nation will be Germanized. The rest will be sterilized or shot down.“ The words of the Reichsprotector Heyidrich three days after he arrived to Prague. Dear artists, do you still want throw your excrements in the face? If there weren’t those courageous people in this nation you despise so much, you probably wouldn’t have a chance to be born. Or you would live somewhere in Siberia where our friends from Germany wanted to resettle us. Date:29.05.200618:07 Author:tomáš IP:[89.102.139.*] Title:you brave ones who spit on everything That’s a nonsense that 200.000 Czechs were hailing at the Venceslaus square at the remembrance ceremony for Reinhard Heydrich? That was no remembrance ceremony but a called up meeting where they were supposed to say what to do now. It was on July 3, 1942 and they announced there that the curfew is cancelled. Absence of course meant agreeing with the assasination which resulted in execution with the whole family. And try not to come, you hero. Instead of celebrating the assassination, a deed which has no parallel in Europe, we look for something bad all the time. I don’t understand that really. Why can’t we be a little bit self-confident! What kind of fashion is this to spit on eachother and shit on our heads!!! Date:29.05.200618:13 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: jisva.cz@centrum.cz"pamětník. IP:[213.235.168.*] Title:Disgusting and cowardly... I suppose that the “heroes of the clean spirit“ from the POJEBAL group personally remember what happened during the protectorate or their daddys beat them with a fence. My father spent four years in the woods because of hiding weapons and he wasn’t picking blueberries there! Rats and traitors were and are the part of the society. It is not an exception so that some POJEBAL’S would degradate them. By the way were some of your relatives not at the lists of GESTAPO, I wouldn’t wonder. For me their acting is disgusting and humiliating. Date:29.05.200618:16
Author:Aragorn IP:[212.71.148.*] Title:Pode Bal They prodded the wasp’s nest and the wasps react (as can be seen from the contributions) and that is exactly what they wanted. Pode Bal can be content :o) Art istn’t here to smile at everyone and be pleasant for everyhone...:) Date:29.05.200618:50 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: jisva.cz@centrum.cz"eyewitness IP:[213.235.168.*] Title:Re: Pode Bal How do you do,“Aragom“, how does it go at home, everyone healthy?????????? You could be their art boss so that it would “stroke your tire, sorry, your soul. A.Einstein : "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former." Well and you are not the universe yet so you probably fit the second variant. I wish you a good apetite! Date:30.05.20068:44 Author:Aragorn IP:[217.64.0.*] Title:Re: eyewitness Hi eyewitness! I’m sorry I can’t answer your first question as I actually have no home (again). So as in my past incarnation I am a „walker“ again, going through the world.... :D And as about the boss, I had enough of that in my past life (actually it is not worth it). And I agree with the“human stupidity“ (but I think we both repeat ourselves:)) well and as there is nothing from the Númenor in me...:OD / but as I can see I fit in the human society quite well which I’m glad for, I don’t like standing out :oD/ And thanks for your wish, I haven’t lost my appetite yet :-D bye!
– that is another level, it is for a longer discussion. But when it is about more „serious“ topics I never like shortenings (like „Czechs“, „Germans“ instead of the more exact „some/many Czechs, our citizens“, „some/many Germans“ etc.) although I use them sometimes to make things easier. If you want to have a deeper discussion about the 1938 just let me know (though I don’t have much time recently). (What you say in a shortening can be agreed with but it needs a bit more words :-)/ Date:30.05.200621:11 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: rrogerr@centrum.cz"Karel Muller IP:[62.190.106.*] Title:Re: Karel Mueller That is a bit different, I didn’t want to join the discussion again but still I say a few words. The fact that the Czechs were an isle of fighters against Nazism in the Middle Europe is a historical truth. If they were a nation of collaborants inthe eyes of Churchill and other politicians, they wouldn’t be put among the winners (mainly because of Slovakia which was very damaging for Beneš especially in the USA). This also is an absolute fact. Munich was a horrible moral blow and it is a wonder that we didn’t become a collaborant nation. You don’t need to remind me that we had horrible people among us – the memories of both my grandparents show that (though they had German predecessors they all were Czechs and my dad’s ancestors were resistance fighters). Both were informed on by the Czechs and if the Germans wanted they would destroy them. That is another truth I must admit. But that needs objectivity and a view in wider connections.
Date:30.05.200618:05 Author:Aragorn IP:[212.71.148.*] Title:Re: eyewitness - PS Only at second look I noticed how many question marks does the first question have:) So I keep thinking why one virtual maniac (and that can be any of us) asks another virtual maniac? In the moment I’m sitting at the Internet, am I as a „virtual element“ at home just like you are, so we both know that my health will be similar as of any „virtuals“. So the question is useless :D (btw Einstein had no notion about something like Internet but he knew people well and probably even better the physics... :)/
Date:01.06.20067:57 Author:Aragorn IP:[217.64.0.*] Title:Re: Karel Mueller It actually is not about the 1938. They wanted to stir a discussion about some “taboos“ (I think they mentioned four) which are not spoken about much..:-)
Date:29.05.200618:51 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: skliba@centrum.cz"Jana IP:[85.70.5.*] Title:Re: Pode Bal Aragorn, you were always a jolly good fellow. As you say – he who smelt it dealt it... PB are good!
Date:29.05.200623:13 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: rrogerr@centrum.cz"Karel Mueller IP:[62.190.106.*] Title: IN CONCLUSION To my three previous answers I would like to add that I miss a child in here with a board saying: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GROVEL AND BOW YOUR BACK BECAUSE OF US. IN THE NATALITY OF LESS THAN 1 WE WILL NOT HAVE BABIES ANYMORE.
Date:29.05.200621:57 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: rrogerr@centrum.cz"Karel Mueller IP:[62.190.106.*] Title:Re: Pode Bal You are right and they don’t have to be annoying by its imbecility. In 1938 the Czechs didn’t back out in fron of the manifold superiority and even with the fifth column behind them they were able to do it, they were stabbed by someone else. You know, my grandfather Mueller looked (he was a double of Heydrich) and thought much more German than the Prussians. And when he admitted that... you could as well. Date:30.05.20068:21 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: l.aragorn@centrum.cz"Aragorn IP:[217.64.0.*] Title:Re: Karel Mueller My statement to Pode Bal was more in a general level, I wanted to point out that the artist (and not only him, actually everyone) has a right to have an opinion to anything and the fact that he makes many people angry is not his problem. And as to the „points“ the PB commented
Date:29.05.200618:19 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: petr.sleder@tiscali.cz"petr sleder IP:[85.160.151.*] Title:This group Is just a pack of politically correct bootlickers and I’m sure they have a very generous support.
Date:30.05.200612:14 Author:HYPERLINK "mailto: petr.pavlan@centrum.cz"Petr Record Pavlán IP:[88.100.145.*] Title:quite a good response, isn’t it? Hi you guys from Pode Bal! That is a lively discussion! But it is a suffering to read it... I read it and suffered for you! Record Date:01.06.20068:42 Author:** IP:[217.168.211.*] Title:Pode Bal Should put their house in order. And now you throw stones. Date:01.06.200622:35 Author:sajuzky mudrc IP:[194.108.206.*] Title: We shouldn’t lock up the Gipsies we should have killed them all!!! Oh God today the art is so dim-witted. No one can make anything new and so they keep “liberating something“ and fighting something all the time... we live in the twilight of Rome.
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Top Secret Report September 2006
found garbage. Both of these, information and garbage, were stored in various places and we only combined them into a new object. This principle appeared many times in the art
From an interview of Antonín Kopp and Petr Motyčka with František Kowolowkský, September 2006
already, it is actually a kind of a ready made. It is also an aesthetization of the found things.
Curator: How do you choose the information you work with? The common feature of the information you use at the exhibition in Brno is its hypotheticality – they are not
Curator: What is the role of appropriating media codes in
confirmed nor refuted. They are somewhere between reality
your artwork?
and fiction. Was that an intention?
Pode Bal: The idea of differentiating the world into reality
Pode Bal: We question the differentiation between reality
and codes is a misconception. Actually the things that seem
and fiction. We often cannot know where fiction begins and
natural are the most ideological in essence, because we
reality ends and vice versa. The word reality itself is
already got used to perceiving them as true. An example can
problematic because it implies the truthfulness while fiction
be values in art such as canon. We think it quite natural that
implies lies. This also is a part of our project.
some things are simply true and that they are a result of
We also worked with information in the project Gen. (Malík
genius, but the source of these ideas is pure social ideology.
Urvi... editors note) The principle was not to expose the
These things must thus be distinguished very carefully. Many
collaborators of the secret police, this information is
of our projects deal with this boundary. We use media in
accessible on the internet. What was interesting was to
certain levels of our projects but our work is basically
materialize them into the form of pictures and captions and to
conceptual as we don’t put any stress on the form in which
exhibit them in one place, in the space of a gallery. Suddenly
the works are presented. We use traditional methods as well
the information gains a new power and functions in a different
as media space. Media space is not a traditional medium, it is
way. The principle of the project in Brno was similar.
even often devaluated in the cultural community, but the
The transformation of waste into art by a simple contextual
existence of this space is a fact and there is no reason why
change is very interesting. The information we used leaked
not to use it, examine it.
out with the aim to discredit a certain person. It does contain a certain relevancy and at the same time there is the aspect
Curator: From the installation you made at the exhibition
of its curious publication with the help of obscure procedures.
Among us groups II, I can feel a nomadic strategy, this
Also, in the project’s subtext, there is a shift of the value
appropriating, this rubbish culture, this sedimenting.
of information from a simple description of an event toward a certain purpose. It is not anymore important what is
Pode Bal: The installation at the exhibition Among us groups II looks very simple. We took some rubbish, some reports and we recycled all of it. This project was preceded by a longer process. We combined an information-sorting mechanism which is a spider-diagram (the relation of the information) with
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happening, but how it can be used.
The Return of Major Zeman / Ondřej Slačálek, 2006
Good against evil At the end of May 2006, a week before the election and in the middle of a confrontational campaign the Czech Republic
The key figure of the Communist “normalization” was not
was shaken by a scandal. The chief of the Department for
Gustáv Husák, it wasn’t even Milouš Jakeš. The omnipresent
Investigation of Organized Crime (útvar pro odhalování
symbol of this era is the figure of the TV detective series
organizovaného zločinu (ÚOOZ) Jan Kubice addressed the
Třicet případů majora Zemana (Thirty Cases of Major
members of the Parliament with information according to
Zeman). TV as a medium of mass consumption then
which the politicians of ČSSD (Czech Social Democratic Party)
presented key thesis ideologies of the time in a package
were trying to sabotage the activities of his institution.
which linked them up with the everyday life of the common
The consistent investigation would, according to him, prove
citizen. If Major Zeman is coming back today in various
a connection of the Social Democratic party to organized
disguises of the current media, it means a return of a certain
crime. The documents Kubice gave to the MP’s later “leaked“
form of normalization.
into the media and the media handled them in their own way. It was not important that there was no proof, that the so
The main idea of the series about Major Zeman is that the
called Kubice’s Report was a mixture of records of
“truth about (various but mainly political) peoples' actions is
wiretapping and gossip from mafia circles. “The mafia
hidden from our eyes. Any action which seems inspired by
influences today’s politics“ read the introduction paragraph
some opinion is in reality only a manifestation of criminal
of one of the articles in MF Dnes; another title promised
inclinations. People are not Catholics, independent writers,
information about “how the mafia infiltrated the ČSSD“.
dissidents or underground musicians for reasons they state and which are obvious. In fact their “wrong” political attitude
And who is coming out with this report? In the words of the
is a consequence of their legal and moral decadence – the
daily newspaper it was the “longest serving post-revolution
social non-conformism has its source in crime. The wrong
elite police officer... who is considered one of the most
political attitude will sooner or later show its dark side: the
trustworthy officials that endured in police ranks.“ The word
criminality of its bearer. In the past year we had two
“endured“ shows that the other trustworthy officials were
interesting attempts to bring Major Zeman back. In both
chased away by someone (Social Democratic Party? The
cases the criminal “truth“ about politics came out of the
Mafia?). The portrait of the present-day Major Zeman goes on:
dark, unproved and unprovable, in the form of a police or
„He was new and not discredited by the past regime... When
analytical “report“. The way how the media took to these
he became the chief of the ÚOOZ, his people aimed mainly to
reports speaks for itself. We have witnessed two
eliminate the Russian mafia... Only once in 2000 the chair
inscenations – the protagonist of the first one was the Czech
rocked under him. When Miloš Zeman from the ČSSD was
press from whose not very colorful palette we choose the
the prime minister. Zeman wanted to fire him after an analysis
“most read”, “serious“ and also the most engaged daily
prepared by his advisors. But later it came out that the report
newspaper MF Dnes; the protagonist of the second one was
was fabricated by ex-communist officials of the secret
the art group Pode Bal. The first was about a left-wing
services who wanted to be rid of Kubice. At that time, Kubice
political party, the second about the right-wing. The first
was saved by the president Václav Havel. “In other words
changed the result of the elections and the second became
Kubice belongs to the right regime (he is post-revolution), he
an interesting art experiment.
faces the mafia from the wrong geographic side (the East),
231
he is up against the wrong people (the left wing arch-villain
election, on June 12, the MF Dnes admitted in the analysis
Miloš Zeman and the “former communist officials of secret
of Kubice’s Report that “all the information about the political
services“) and he has the support of the right people (Václav
subtext are just a collection of tips from ‘people from the
Havel himself). And as is Kubice, Major Zeman was the man
underground‘ or statements of a few entrepreneurs and
of his regime, he fought mainly against the criminal influences
officials off the record.“ And through these statements off
from the West, the disguised followers of the previous
the record the media made a crime novel out of the election
regime, the Western imperialists tried to get rid of him and he
and appealed to the undecided voters that a vote for the left
was defended by the right communists. As was explained to
would support the mafia.
us by the most trustworthy source (“undisclosed cooperator of Kubice“), “Kubice didn’t want to influence the election.
Pode Bal and the Russian mafia
He only felt his subordinates and his work was being
People who went to vote in Prague 7 could feast their eyes
threatened so much that he decided to go through with this
out of the tram window on big photographs of small children
very unstandard step.“
holding signs reminding the alleged responsibility of the whole Czech society for the collaboration with the totalitarian regimes
The elections 2006 or Ten million amateur detectives
of the past. A remarkably conformist and flat interpretation of
A week before the elections, people were informed by the
the Czech history was artistically reworked by the Pode Bal
media of things they already knew. The just policeman
group. Shortly prior to that, they came up with a much more
investigates a crime – without any political regards, and his
interesting confrontation with the real burden of the past
discovery of the true political villain is purely accidental. The
which wasn’t concerned with big events and wrongs of the
event was staged well. A week before the election it was not
past regimes but lied in the stereotypes which we carry with
important anymore whether we needed to keep the social
us all the time. The stereotype of Major Zeman, a fair
state in its present form or to reform it resolutely. The topic
policeman passing judgement on politics, is one of them.
was not the relations with the European union. Instead ten
Pode Bal also got their hands on a report which uncovered a
million newspaper readers, TV viewers and radio listeners
link of politics and economic criminality – again without direct
were lured into a very strange detective story. Ten million
evidence. The report spoke about contacts between the
judges were supposed to decide if the Social Democrats were
influential head of the Central Bohemian Region of the
really in on the dirt of Kubice’s report or not. The plot was
People’s Democratic Party (ODS,) Petr Bendl and the Russian
clear, there was no evidence, but that only made the drama
mafia. It links his intention to privatize the hospitals of this
more interesting. The investigator was a heroic policeman,
region with the criminal context by asserting that the
the villain was a media hated prime minister and his party.
„passage of the Czech law in such form, which would allow
Who wouldn’t have a jab... There was as many judges as there
to privatize the regional hospitals into the hands of puppet
were people with the right to vote. The judgement was being
companies with Russian and Israeli capital, and their
cast at the ballot box, it was anonymous and in our own name,
transformation into luxurious private institution for Russian
not in the name of the Republic.
clientele with no privilege for Czech citizens.“ Mentioned were also relations between the President Václav Klaus and
As we know the performance worked only half-way: the
suspicious Russian entrepreneurs, etc. Pode Bal is not Kubice
Social Democratic Party didn’t succeed in the election but the
nor MF Dnes. The result was an installation at the exhibition
right wing did not win either. More than a week after the
Among Us Groups II in the Municipal Gallery of Brno. The
232
authors of the installation knew very well that the source they were using was inconsistent, as well as other implications which are described in a part of their own text: “In the project Top Secret Report, Pode Bal works with common waste from the notorious dumps behind the city limits, as well as with garbage that has leaked from the police and political circles in the form of “secret” information: with waste lying around in the dumpsters of our informational society. Reconstruction of the randomly discovered and carefully selected components from all the available junk-piles was an attempt to produce a deliberate installation that would transform the found waste once more into some sensible structures, reflecting the littered organism of our society.“ The informational “spider“ created by the group thus doesn’t present an accusal of specific people as it may seem. It is rather a symbol of a strange opaqueness of the present day world which can often be seen only through the purposefully distorted points of view...
What will the normalization of today bring? The Pode Bal group worked with the “secret” but otherwise unfounded report responsibly. They posed the question through their own, artistic means. MF Dnes and other media did what they could: a week before the election they evoked a crime-story psychosis. Kubice’s Report became a weapon aimed against a popular target – Paroubek and the left wing. The report about Bendl became an artefact. The normalization of today will not take place through a victory of any political party, not even a Communist one. The normalization of today becomes a threat along with a revival of the stereotypes of old times – mainly the conviction that it is not the political questions that matter, but criminal plots and that our decisions should be taken up by “honest” policemen. The normalization of today impends in the case that our decisions will be taken over by the media in an uncontrollable way and that we will become insensitive to the impulses of independent art. In short: the new normalization impends when leaked secret reports receive more of the MFDnes-newspaper reactions and less of the Pode Bal sort of attention.
233
Cover Art 2001 – 2006 Initial concept notes / Pode Bal (PM), 2001
Exhibition text at Hunt Kastner Artworks, 17. 11. 2006 / Pode Bal (MŠ) In music there are authors and interpretations. Not everyone can be an author. Partly because of the lack of talent, partly out of economic reasons. So many authors simply can’t survive.
Notes on Cover Art – it should be a parallel of “rock star culture” (mtv culture)
Interpretational art provides a means to make a living as well
in visual art, or the translocation of mtv culture into the
as self-realization. Jindřich Chalupecký noticed that in Bohemia
field of art;
there were few important and strong art movements. Instead,
– Pode Bal becomes an original interpreter of classical works
Czech artists interestingly developed, enriched, cultivated and
from famous artists; answers to nostalgic longings for “gold-
interpreted artistic impulses from elsewhere. Today we
en hits” of the 20th Century;
proudly say that the Czech architectonic cubism has no parallel
– is an ironical answer to the demand for (formally) original
in the world. And it is true, nowhere else had anyone the idea
experiments on the ground of still highly regarded media of
to transform this artistic discharge into the medium of brick
painting and sculpture;
and mortar.
– Cover Art places this category analogically with popular culture into the field of “oldies but goodies”, somewhat stale
We don’t want to complain that Czech art has no prestige in
“classical hits”, yet still “evergreens”.
the world, we don’t want to envy the Poles their presence on the western markets. We decided to penetrate the West
The term “cover” refers to the idea of the peak of success in
as interpreters. We prepared the concept of Cover Art,
today’s commercial entertainment culture. Covers of maga-
Pode Bal’s cover versions of famous world masterpieces.
zines make up the final stretch in the star race of all celebri-
To penetrate the West as Interpreters.
ties, the best american models are called “cover girls”. To be on the Cover is a means of success, sometimes even the ends. Media became the main mechanism for success in our popular culture as it caters to the widest public which is essential for the market. Contemporary art adopted this behavior. To reach the cover of Art in America or Flash Art is just as important for artists, as is seeing one’s face on the cover of the Rolling Stone for rock bands. In this sense, certain trends within the contemporary arts with their desire of stardom and passion for the market become allegorical of the spinsters of popular culture, the commercial entertainment industry. Cover Art brings this to an extreme and defines it. Cover Art, somewhat in the style of Don Quixote, “popularizes” the once experimental claims of the avant guard, that had become “classical” in time and celebrates their conquest of the art market. It parasites on the positions of these works and fervently whispers “yes!” to their transformation into luxurious products.
234
To penetrate the West as Interpreters Anna Vartecká, Flash Art 3-4, 2006 – 2007
group, their acts can be understood in connections with the response which they are supposed to evoke: “We don’t want to complain that the Czech art has no prestige in the world, we don’t want to envy the Poles their presence on the western markets. We decided to penetrate the West as inter-
In the gallery Hunt Kastner Artworks the Czech group Pode Bal
preters. We prepared the concept of Cover Art, Pode Bal’s
launched its art project with a rather descriptive title “Cover
cover versions of famous world masterpieces.” (Pode Bal,
Art: Pode Bal Paints Western Masters”. This art group has
12. 17. 2006). The contemporary Czech art scene is adopting
done a number of projects already which we can understand
a strategy of the Western art market and Pode Bal defines
as displays of anti-commercial and political activism in con-
the possible cracks of this process by their attempt to recycle
temporary Czech art. Their activity technically collides with
serious art in order to “conserve talent and money”. Let’s try
the interest and strategies of the advertisement industry and
to imagine the pettiness of such thinking in large-scale and
the so called commercial semiotics. Thematically their reach
it becomes clear that this is yet another riotous attempt to
can be divided into several fields with a common, precisely
find some interferences in the marginal space of our approach
aimed concept with biting irony, realized through a political
to the West.
gesture or an intervention in public space. The most fascinating thing about their work is how they constantly operate in the margins of our common cultural-social-political interest and just there they find the issues so sensitive to pejorative interpretation and degradation of their social reach (globalization and religious fundamentalism, the topic of a collective responsibility, cultural politics and so on...). Pode Bal created interpretations of legitimized works of the western masters among whose are Gary Hume, Georg Baselitz, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst or Joseph Beuys. The work of Yves Klein “Anthropometry” was interpreted directly during the opening in a form of performance, much like the original (Galerie International d‘Art Contemporain, Paris, 1960). The model was painted directly by the members of the Pode Bal group with the help of a paint roller. As it was said in one of the reviews in the previous volume of Flash Art, the gallery Hunt Kastner Artworks is one of few commercial galleries in Prague and so visitors can not only purchase the works, but also compact discs with high quality reproductions of all interpretations or a limited, numbered series of posters. But the new project in its way partly steps out of their own line of works which up to now had a hallmark of originality (formally or cognitively). Interpretations, quotations and appropriations - all these are postmodern methods which intentionally eliminate the originality of the art work. New contexts which often lead to attacks on various kinds of stereotypes and substitute the previous originality. In the case of the pronounced media activism of this
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additional texts
237
That’s Not Art, It’s Political Art / Michal Šiml, 2007
is understandable even for non-expert writers who remain outside the artistic context. Art critics in the Czech Republic often tend not to reflect upon
Even though art has been created for more than a decade on issues
a specific piece of work, but rather on its media image.3 Media
of social and political concern, Czech curators and critics tend to be
simplification is understandable. However, it is disturbing that
lacking in the area of expert reflection. Given that Czechs have a
even expert critics engage in this practice. These oversimplified
tradition of appreciating modesty and expecting reward for “children
media images were, in my opinion, one of the reasons why the
being neither seen nor heard,” most local critics prefer “subtle
Rafani group, whose work is often labeled “political art,” stopped
tendencies” rather than an articulate and steadfast opinion..
supplying texts to accompany its projects. Or more clearly stated, this is the reason why the Rafani group scrubbed out all its texts
To each Czech his own
to incomprehensibility. Our group, Pode Bal, is likely the art group
When I became a member of the Pode Bal group in 1998, one of my
that’s received the most media coverage in the Czech Republic.
main interests was working to change the non-communicativeness
In 2006, we dispatched, in reaction to media simplification, an
and introversion of the Czech art scene at that time. No one then
invitation to the exhibit Lety. The public, upon viewing the name
was working to address social or political phenomena. It was
Lety, tends to think of the gypsy concentration camp. And when
enough for the local art community to satisfy itself, for the most
they utter the name Pode Bal, they think of “controversial” art.
part, with its “gallery opening” public. The exhibit Malík Urvi,
Thus, the potential visitor was able to conjure up a vision of what
which we put together in 2000, was an experiment, and we had
they would see at exhibit. Accompanying materials for the exhibit
no idea how things would turn out in the end.1 We expected that
were designed such that they would support public expectations.
the prominent politicians whose portraits we presented would
At the same time, the artworks on display inside the gallery were
sue us, and that the political aspect of this show would become
simple landscape paintings that had been done of surroundings of
the topic of court hearings rather than of art critiques. One of the
Lety. It was interesting to see that none of the journalists, and
politicians who was put on display, then-trade minister Mieoslav
not even any of the critics or theorists, figured out the logic of the
Grégr, took the issue up with a gallery sponsor and that patron
exhibit. The press wrote yet again that the Pode Bal group
later ceased to finance gallery activities. During the Malík Urvi
“focuses attention on” or “warns about” the gypsy camp in Lety.
exhibit visitation at the gallery rose by 100%, and the exhibit
Art critics merely repeated these oversimplified comments.4
received previously unseen levels of media coverage and public attention. Articles on the exhibit did not remain hidden in the
Problems with description
cultural sections of newspapers, but rather were featured on the
Certain projects that express greater interest about social
front pages of these publications. The curators, Jiří and Jana
happenings than others need not necessarily be described as
Ševčík, noted that art had traditionally been successfully nullified
art. Some authors even take exception to the fact that their
by labeling its controversial expression as “non art.” At the time,
expressive works be classified as art. They feel that placing
discussions in the Czech Republic centered on whether the
their projects in an artistic context disarms them. A member
Malik Urvi exhibit was in fact art at all. Art critic and curator
of the US groups RTMark and Yes Men, who performed under
Martin Dostál called the 2000 exhibit “watered down Cibulkovism.”2
the name Ray Thomas at the time during which Pode Bal and
Theoretician Pavel Liška viewed the project as “the naive, if not
RTMark put together a joint workshop at the Datatransfer
completely embarrassing, continuation of something that long
Festival, insisted that he was in no case an artist. He merely
ago ceased to exist – cultural dissent.”
shrugged his shoulders and smiled when admitting that, even so, sometimes the work of his groups is described as art.5
Media simplification
For a long time now, the festival “Next5Minutes” has run in
Since the end of the 1990’s, much has changed. Art reflecting
Amsterdam. This festival brings together in one place works
on political and social issues has established itself on the Czech
that are subject to review by art critics alongside other activities
scene. Many artists have appeared who devote their talents to
that remain unevaluated (media hacking, pirate radio, activism,
art defined as such. Two relatively representative shows have
and a broad range of other types of expression). Activities
taken place – Politik-um run by curator Ludvík Hlaváček with
presented in this way have their own theoretical as well as
Keiko Sei, and Czechpoint developed by curators Zuzana Štefková
presentational platform, which need to be dependent on the
and Tamara Moyzes. It even appears that art working with political
art scene. However, this broad platform can help to enrich art
and social phenomena is now going through a boom phase: it
and its definition. On the Czech scene no such well-developed
has become a common subject for thesis work, has begun to be
theoretical or presentational platform exists. To date, no curators
a bit too “omnipresent,” and has established its own repertoire
or theorists have given thought to commenting, for example,
of popular topics. Whereas art is not often covered in the media,
on the activities of the Mamapapa Association, which for years
works with a political tinge get a lot of press coverage. The cost
now has worked with varied communities and put together
of such attention is tabloid-like media coverage of art. Media
a number of site-specific projects. Nor do they comment on the
are not able to reflect upon more subtle values; rather they
activist projects of the Ztohoven Group and many other groups
accent “controversy” and “scandal.” “Controversial” political art
whose works merit discussion.6 It would appear rather that
238
Czech theoreticians prefer to engage in comical arguments on
the genuine art in our country. The general public accepted our
which “political art” is the right one.7 As if there was art that
activities with great interest and our projects enjoyed an unpre-
would be completely non-political. As if art was not political in
cedented attendance. They sparked wide discussion that was
its essence. As if “political art” had its own set of specific criteria
highly visible by way of both Czech and international media.
for evaluation. As if criticism of “political art” was meant to be
Nowadays, the situation is quite different than the late 1990s –
different than criticism of art in general. I hope this is only a passing
they teach about us at universities, we exhibit in foreign galleries,
phase, and that in the future we will witness quality exhibits put
the “engaged” and “political” art has established itself in Czechia
together with some sober distance and publications reflecting
with numbers of artists and groups working in this context.
upon art that addresses both political and social phenomena.
Sometimes it looks like “political art” fashion.
/ Annotations: 1/ At the time, we put together an exhibit consisting of 36 portraits of politicians and public figures together with information on their co-operation with the secret Communist police or with information on their high-level political posts during the Communist era. 2/ This term refers to the list of Czech citizens who cooperated with the Communist secret police during the Communist era. The list was named for its first publisher and former dissident, Petr Cibulka. 3/ See Michal Šiml, “The story of political art in the news” (Příběh politického umění v novinách), A2 kulturní týdeník 50/2006. 4/ See Václav Magid, “Pode Bal: Sunday activists at Lety” (Nedělní aktivisté v Letech), A2 kulturní týdeník 40/2006. 5/ The wish not to be labeled an “artist” is more common in countries where the art market is more developed. Here in the Czech Republic, where no such market exists, we do not often come across working individuals who would be bothered by being called “artists.” On the Czech scene, where the majority of exhibits take place in small, alternative galleries, such efforts to distance oneself from this artistic world would seem more or less comical. 6/ Czech curators often, instead of contemplating on existing projects and attempting to include them as part of new-found trends, prefer rather to encourage or provoke artists into “making something” for their exhibits. However, in such cases the curator is shirking his/her professional responsibility and voluntarily taking on the role of cultural manager; that is, as a sort of client who briefs artists on a given topic. 7/ Jana Štěpánová, in a related context to activism in art, references a survey carried out among Czech art theorists: “…its status is constantly ridiculed and doubted [understood: activisms] as well as its position on the art scene (discussions on true and proper engagement, artistic credibility and involvement of the groups Pode Bal and Rafani). “Art and Activism” (Umění a aktivismus), Jana Štěpánová, thesis work, Photography Dept., University of Jan Evagelista Purkyně in Ústí nad Labem, p. 18.
What is your experience with the acceptance of your projects and exhibitions? I mean the spectators, the public. How many people have bought, for example, your T-shirt “I am a Czech coward...”? Our experience is splendid. Especially in the beginning, we had no idea how people would respond. For example, a portrait of an MP with information about his collaboration with the StB (former communist secret police) had never been exhibited in a gallery before. We didn’t have to face any lawsuits but there were some stormy reactions. We get a lot of emails; people discuss our actions on our website and express their support. Sometimes, however, the reactions, usually anonymous, are quite hateful. A part of the public can’t forgive that we take aim at various Czech myths and that we are always muckraking in the proble-matic past in a very different way than the usual nostalgic and bitter-sweet reflections offered by contemporary Czech cinema. As for our T-shirt “I am a Czech coward….”, we did not intend to make any business, we just wore it and offered it for sale during our performance that took place about a year and half ago. But we are surprised by the interest in the T-shirt, last month we received about 30 emails with orders. We replied we haven’t got any but it is clear now that we have to make some more. People
Interview with Michal Šiml for Hospodářské noviny, 2006
surprise us. For example, after our action “Flagellants”, some people spontaneously volunteered to actively suffer for collective guilt along with us and help to purify the climate in the society.
Is, in your opinion, the art that may be labeled as political or engaged comprehended and accepted in our country? Political or engaged art is an auxiliary term. All art is political since all art relates to the “polis” in some way. Even a still life painting is a political statement. But you are asking about the artistic activities that deal with specific situations in the society,
Guerrilla Showing Its Teeth (exhibition text for 30% off) / Michal Šiml, Petr Motyčka, 2007
thus activities that seem to be more political than the still life painting, for instance. In the Czech lands, we were pioneers
Advertising has always derived impulses from art and has been
of thus defined art in the late 1990s. Because of that, we may
inspired by these impulses and tried to utilize them for its own goals.
compare the way “political” art was viewed then and now.
Activities marked by a sexy term “guerrilla marketing” are no
In 2000, when we organized the Malik Urvi exhibition, some
exception. After Vodafone stuck reindeer antlers on competitors’
critics discussed whether this could be considered as art at all.
billboards, we witnessed the utilization of a strategy more typical
Engagement was then viewed by some artists and critics with
for activists and political artists. Commercial advertising is trying to
great suspicion. They thought that an artist working in such
adopt non-commercial strategies like “demarketing,” “culture
a way might betray his/her “independence”. It was rather
jamming” and “adbusting.” These strategies were originally
a confusion of terms, a scare of memories of the “engaged art”
invented to work against advertising and its dominant position
of Socialist Realism and the relation to the fact that Czech artists
in public space. This phone company, however, did not use this
were not used to articulating clearly. Lyrically humorous tendencies
strategy to express criticism as an activist would but rather used
spiced with a noncommittal postmodernism are considered to be
it as a novel and controversial competitive weapon. And we saw
239
similar subversive methods once again during the last election
The leaflets were distributed internationally via Internet and through
campaign when political parties posted over or somewhat childishly
collaborating groups. Anyone could place officially looking leaflets
parodied billboards of their political rivals.
in the plane’s seat pockets or info-stands when flying with Lufthansa or visiting its sales office. In addition to attracting
Liberate billboards
direct attention of the airline’s customers (who couldn’t believe
It all began in the Mecca of advertising, the US, at the end of the
their eyes), the project was “sexy” enough to provoke interest
60s and beginning of the 70s, when artistic and activist groups
of the media. Deportations have damaged Lufthansa’s reputation
started to alter commercial billboards. They rephrased the
and caused customer loss. Interestingly enough, if the group had
commercial messages to work against themselves or to accentuate
used traditional activist strategies such as demonstrations
their own message; they used parody or persiflage to disclose
and petitions, their effect would have been much weaker, if any.
and criticize social conflicts. Groups like Billboard Liberation Front, California Department of Corrections or Political Art Documentation
Smash windows
and Distribution belonged to the leading edge players. Among
The quoted examples show that media infiltration is an important
others, a Fiat billboard became the target of their activity.
strategy in the field of activism. Other features are mystification
Is headline addressed male target audience: “If it were a lady,
and playing with meanings. During the San Francisco WTO
it would get its bottom pinched.” A handwritten postscript added:
summit at the end of the 20th century everybody expected anti-
“If this lady was a car she’d run you down.”
globalists, demonstrators and various activists to start smashing shop fronts and windows, as this was a usual and expected
Liberate Barbie
phenomena. For media this is a very “sexy” activity. In the
Activists and political artists quite often direct their attacks against
competitive environment, media players strive to bring better
gender stereotypes. At the beginning of the 80s a media group
pictures of vandalism than their competitors. This results in the
called ®™ark entered the artistic and media scene in the USA.
media dedicating almost one hundred percent of their coverage
Almost overnight they became famous for their Barbie Liberation
to something that is less than one per cent in reality. Petitions,
Organization (BLO) project. BLO was a fictitious organization
appeals, demonstrations and other public activities of the activists
pretending to have an absurd ambition to liberate the Barbie doll.
get no media attention because they are not very interesting
People of ®™ark bought several hundred Barbie dolls and of G.I.
to look at. For someone watching TV in Kansas, San Francisco
Joe soldiers for boys, a similar type of toy. In both types of dolls
is then a confrontation between decently dressed peace-loving
there was a sound mechanism that would express the doll’s
globalists and aggressive unkempt anti-globalization lot that is
attitude to a child after a button was pressed. The Barbie dolls for
only capable of destruction.
example claimed: “I like pink, how about you?” Or encouraged children in their favorite activity: “Let’s go shopping!” G. I. Joe,
A group of activists expecting such disproportion decided to
on the other hand, commanded attack or noted “Dead men tell
make a preventive step. After the summit started they published
no tales.” A few people managed to switch the guts of these
a press release informing media that the “activists would be
dolls overnight and return them, seemingly untouched and under
smashing windows” in a certain place at a certain hour. At the
guarantee, to shops. That evening the prime time news brought
specified time in front of cameras of all major media, a small
reports about horror-struck boys whose toy soldiers claimed they
group of activists started to smash the first of a thousands CDs
like pink, about girls possessing pathologically militant Barbie dolls
containing Windows by Microsoft, a large globalization player.
and about some even more horrified parents. ®™ark confessed
The event was “sexy” enough and contrasted to the established
to the mischief and published a press release inviting discussion
stereotype of activists as primitive and aggressive vandals in media.
on gender stereotypes. Mattel, the toy manufacturer, first announced their intention to bring the issue to court, but later
The described activities are spreading. There are activist art fes-
dropped the matter. In the end the discussion provoked by the
tivals, webs, a specialized magazine called Adbusters is distributed
project forced Mattel to change the opinions of their toys to be
worldwide, and it is no longer unusual to witness such endeavors
more neutral and less stereotypical.
in our country as well. At the beginning we mentioned that advertising had the ability to benefit from controversial artistic
Travel Deportation Class
inputs by appropriating them. This is can be expected massively
The German group Kein Mensch ist Ilegal and its project Luft
in advertising very soon. This assumption echoes the words of
standing out against deportation of refugees from Germany back
John Murphy, former Executive Vice President of Philip Morris,
to their countries are a perfect example of demarketing. Lufthansa
who gave an odd answer when questioned about political art
offered its services to the government for a bargain price and
and activist actions: “Similar activities are needed. They’re part
started to deport refugees on board of their planes. Kein Mensch
of the change.”
ist Ilegal wanted to inform the public, especially Lufthansa clients, worldwide about the activity. They used the official Lufthansa corporate design to print huge numbers of leaflets advertising a new product, the so-called Deportation Class.
240
Visual Reality, Invisibility, Destruction and Art as a Method / Petr Motyčka, 2008
are not formed by intended (philosophical or artistic) activity, but emerge as a by-product of market mechanisms and are disseminated with enormous prevalence through the omnipresent media. They are a consequence of mass marketing and, due to the
Beautiful trains
influence of mass communication, they are homogenized to a
Trains must be punctual, even if they are headed for Auschwitz.
greater extent and faster than the other accompanying phenomena
This anecdote expresses the positivist approach of a scientist, or
of the factor in question. Put simply: modern-day aesthetics is
in this case a clerk, who is in charge of a precisely defined sector
not created by artists, but by the market, marketing, the enter-
of work, to which he dedicates maximum care without having to
tainment industry and advertising: corporations such as Nike,
worry about any ramifications that the results may have. It seems
Diesel, Gap, Vichy, Lancôme, Daimler-Chrysler, Procter & Gamble,
that, whenever a social-engineering plan is hatched, there will
Nokia, Warner Bros, Tiffany, Disney, Viacom, etc. Public demand
always be eager clerks and scientists who, under that plan, are
plays a significant role in this process in context of the
‘just doing their job’. Regrettably, the same can often be said of
entertainment-advertising principles.
artists. It is possible that aesthetics has similarly created a specific position based primarily on distance and detachment, giving rise
Aesthetics as a socio-political program
to the same right to its ‘own’ specialization meticulously prepared
It is rather contentious to talk, for example, about the aesthetic
from all (social and political) contexts. Although such a position
principles of advertising (and advertising culture) because such
may seem reprehensible, does it have to mean that trains headed
principles do not exist by program. For the entertainment and
for Auschwitz cannot be beautiful at the same time?
advertising industry, visual communication is exclusively a means of achieving marketing goals as efficiently as possible, and is
Aesthetization of politics leads to war, wrote Walter Benjamin in
adapted to this role accordingly. Any identifiable aesthetic principle
mid twentieth century. The deliberate emphasis on the aesthetic
is the consequence of a marketing communication strategy, not an
principles of any phenomenon (including art) conceals its nature,
end in itself. Aesthetic principles in advertising culture could, then,
especially sociological and political meanings. If we view art just
be more of a reflection – rather than designator – of the values
through the aesthetic levels, we cannot understand it, just as if we
(taste) of society. As society and the entertainment and advertising
sit in a summer meadow and drink in the dynamic beauty of a
industry have been caught up in a mutual dialogue for some time,
passing train, although we have no idea where it is headed and why.
this has a bearing on both parties and the process gives rise to principles that are abstracted from the dialogue – in the sense of
In the same way beauty and impressiveness of monumental
a copy of a copy of a copy… But what was the original blueprint?
architecture (especially that of powerful institutions) often conceals
In its choice of language, the entertainment and advertising industry
the general shabbiness and irresponsibility of the systems and
relies on established values and stereotypes and is essentially very
people inside. The glitter and fame of new car models hide the
conservative. It is reluctant to take risks and becomes the systematic
fact that cars generally make a significant contribution to environ-
endorser of mainstream views, which it then stereotypes with the
mental pollution and that an unbelievable number of people die
help of its huge distribution capacity. In the case of cultural values
in them and under their wheels every day. The beauty of a work
and aesthetic principles (dominantly determined by the entertain-
of art conceals its political context, which despite everything
ment and advertising industry), the source is traditional established
exists and is an essential determining factor.
(Euro-American) ideologies. As a result, it also becomes the vehicle of mainstream political ideas, which are incorporated into this
The role of art and artistic creation goes far beyond the ‘world of
tradition. Society’s aesthetic values are formed unintentionally in
art’, which in itself has no real existence. The role of art is universal
the wake of economic interests. They are not determined, even
and philosophical in the sense of reflection and examination
by these interests, as they are based on a neutral approach where
of established values and views in the sociological and political
the central factor is not significance but performance. Aesthetic
context from which they emerge. Contemporary art – in spite
principles / taste in a society, which places performance above
of what many theorists still believe – is not here to form artistic
significance, are determined quantitatively, not qualitatively.
styles and fulfill some sort of its own history; it is a method for
This process is essentially enabled by the principle of serial
a certain type of cognition.
production. What then can come of the aesthetization of banality – an all-consuming factor of our entertaining-advertising culture?
Contemporary aesthetics Excessive stress on ‘aesthetic principles’ in art theory and their
Invisibility and Destruction
application in the present day could (and does) lead to marginalization
Reduced visibility of ordinary things is a widespread phenomenon.
of artistic practice. Despite this, issues of aesthetics – especially at
Allegedly, Oscar Wilde once said that there was no mist in London
present – are not marginal, and if we consider their cultural dimension
until Turner painted it. In the recent industrial-urban landscape of
they are perhaps more important than at any time in the past.
our commodity society, however, invisibility gains a new position
What have fundamentally changed are the platform and the method
in a situation when attention itself has become a commodity,
to determine them and their sociological impact. Aesthetic principles
available in a very limited extent.
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The serial production of things reduces their visibility. Western
Perception of automobile technology and design is almost
culture and its space is directly composed of seriality both in
exclusively determined by the notion of their disruption, which
commodities on which it depends on, in images that endow
alone can complete their aesthetic meaning. In his cult novel
meaning and identity to these commodities, as well as in ideo-
Crash, J. G. Ballard deals with car accidents as a perverse
logical concepts. One of the central western concepts, originality
connection of the human body and technology in a new but
and individuality, is paradoxically serially produced and sold through
deprived sexuality (the heroes cease to be capable of sexual
commodities and images (advertisements) to as many consumers
excitement outside the context of car technology and envisioned
as possible. The serial nature of the objective world directly disables
fantasies of crashes). Austria falls into a collective excitement
its visibility, and the more things (images, slogans, packages...)
over photographs of a mangled car of a famous populist
there are, the more they become drowned in their milieu, like
politician who at high speed managed to create a beautiful image
the leaves of a tree in the woods. The more omnipresent the
of the only martyr death available in the serial Western world.
serial objects are, the more invisible they become. Certain things, such as cars for instance, are then made visible primarily through
Visual Reality
their violation. As in a car accident.
In the entertainment and advertising culture, quantity can constitute its original counterpart: quality. For example, on the
Similarly, destruction affects other things with various degrees of
evening news, we may be confronted by one hurricane after
invisibility in the present shape of the Western society. Neoclassical
another, spiced up by an earthquake and suicidal attacks by fanatic
facades of many Prague or Paris buildings often become visible
religious groups, while the media speculate about tens of
only after they are tagged by a sprayer. Glass showcases in shopping
thousands of ‘victims’. At this we may come to a notion that the
centers become visible only after being smashed; many streets
world is going down the drain. But we do so only on the basis of
of European metropolises are noticeable only when evacuated
quantitative assemblage of ‘sexy’ news which is always,
after a reported bomb threat, and so on. This establishes a curious
moreover, grossly dramatized (catastrophic and tragic events
connection between the principle of destruction (as a category of
attract big audiences and the entertainment-advertising industry
disturbance in variable extent) with the frequent effort of contem-
takes pains to generate as many viewers as possible). The result
porary art and its aim of disrupting and thereby uncovering
of perceiving such a collage leads to a qualitative evaluation of
the hardly-visible objects, environments and related meanings.
the mentioned categories (world, nature, society, prison system, agriculture, war in the East, diet food, etc.) according to their
It is possible to ask whether the very principle of accidental des-
emphasized features and juxtapositions. It is thus a totally artificial
truction itself doesn’t feature artistic values. If destruction, like art,
construct, which, rather than on the ‘world affairs’, abbreviates on
doesn’t serve as a symptom or indexical sign of otherwise hard-to-
a majority demand of a certain kind of speech. It is a popular-
see meanings/phenomena of our time. In this perspective, the best
artistic work, such as a common theatre play, for instance.
example is the automobile, whose crash may be regarded as a work of art. As an installation, it is capable of meeting some
A common problem with any ordinary critique of images, however,
of the criteria set by contemporary art. A car accident is a polemic
lies in their opposition to ‘reality’. This term by which we usually
sign creating an anti-environment to the invisible environment of
refer to the material world, visible and tangible, contains the notion
identical roads and incessant flow of serially produced cars. A car
of incidentality and objectivity to the extent that it appears to be
is a signifier invested with meanings of modernity par excellence,
freed from any semantic superstructure. ‘Reality’ simply is –
signifying prosperity, ‘individuality’ (serially produced), independence,
composed of particular objects defined by their functions and it
transitivity, technology, capitalism, progress, etc. It can be a bearer
may seem foolish to search any other meanings they might carry.
of the national identity as well. It is one of the most powerful
It seems that this ‘reality’, or space, in which we find ourselves,
(mobile) signs contributing with its own development, continuity
cannot lie or be true, it just is. On the other hand, images of this
and omnipresence to forming and updating its own cultural
reality may often be subjected to examination: it is considered
connotations, and thus reciprocally forming the culture that pro-
whether they are factual or fictional, whether they ‘tell the truth’
duced it. It became its own referent, thus an absolute signification
or ‘lie’. If only for the reason that we know images are produced
of itself even in representation; a mobile sculpture, and at the same
and distributed for some purpose. They are subjective, unlike the
time paradoxically an object that has achieved almost perfect
reality that seems to be objective, nearly natural.
invisibility. This didn’t occur only through the automobile’s seriality and prevalence but through synergy of these features with their
When labeled as reality, our environment becomes mythicized
signified concepts which appear to be completely naturalized in our
since its constituent features are assigned with the illusion of
culture, as they form some of its central ideological pillars.
naturalness. The term ‘reality’ naturalizes the culturally saturated
By crashing, especially at high speed, the entire semantic structure
and ideological cast of the world, created not in an incidental
of the car / sign is suddenly altered. First of all, it becomes visible.
way or ‘naturally’, but through specific cultural processes. The
And secondly, there is a radical shift in its connotations. A car after
statute of non-reality and non-naturalness of images provides their
an accident instantly turns into a sign of critique of the same
referents (though being ideologically determined) with a smooth
ideologies it advocated before.
and well-lubricated entrance into the world of naturalized reality.
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Objects-symbols, in the environment of ‘reality’, are enriched
as the existence of the ideological space it helps to define.
with other ideological significations while smoothly embracing
Transgression does not create borders directly since where there
the mythical status. This ‘reality’ consists in large part of mythical
are no limits; transgressive acts are not possible.
components, things ‘having the value of something else’ (Roland
As long as art strives to analyze the environment that it inhabits,
Barthes). The mentioned cars are notorious in this. A scarf by
transgression will remain a fundamental method applicable to
Hermes Paris does not have much in common with the original
enable such cognition, being more effective as it does so not only
scarves of our ancestors; it is the celestial mist of stardom. Adidas
in the theoretical level but especially through inducing a direct
shoes are a superhuman declaration (‘impossible is nothing’)
experience. Put simply: if art is to examine social ideologies, it is
and wearing them we shroud ourselves with a myth of an uncom-
necessary that it trespass the boundaries set by these.
promising athlete. Original things or their original concepts exist
For artistic production, it is not so essential whether it is
in a hard-to-reach space behind a screen of secondary meanings
based on experience as that it results in it. Art may serve as a
and codes, if visible at all. The shrouded or invisibility quality of
platform for disclosing hidden connections in the social environ-
the serial world inherently disables our ability to perceive its
ment, in particular through their temporary disruption achieved by
‘actual meaning’ or to know that we are perceiving its ‘actual
inducing an ‘other’ experience. This is the only margin where the
meaning’ unless we are willing to include in this ‘reality’ concept
former dominant interpretations may be updated.
its codes as well. Until something like that happens, these codes will continue constituting, in an immeasurable extent, what we
Art is a method of analyzing ‘reality’ in the context of the
shall keep referring to as ‘reality’. In connection with contemporary
social structure and in direct relation to the individual subject,
art, it is possible to draw two conclusions from this situation:
society and history. In another level, related primarily to the acting subject, art is a method the artist invents to be able
1) if the aim of artistic practice is an intentional play with
to confront and cope with what is generally considered as
the structure of codes constituting the system of ‘reality’,
‘reality’. In both cases, it is not achieved in the theoretical
this game is much more essential than is generally thought,
level but through inducing direct experience. Art is a certain
and its consequences can be directly proportional to the
kind of game, and the more that ‘reality’ is interchangeable
role of these codes in this reality.
with the codes common to all the structures permeating it,
2) the only possible way to uncover the relation of
the more serious is the game initiated by an artistic act.
objects/symbols/codes (or simply revealing an object in
I see it as crucial to approach art not as an aim but a means.
its primary level) is through some direct disruption of the
Art is a method.
given matter, or by its destruction: deprivation of its function, form or ability of dominant significations.
The principle of absolute rejection of any rule only because it exists, and its verification through inducing direct experience,
Art as a Method
is a method that can be applied by anyone in order to create
Susan Sontag implies that in the art sphere this is an already
a legitimate work of art.
exhausted approach: ‘Transgressions assume a successful conception of order but transgressions have become successful to
Epilogue
the extent that the idea of transgression became normative for art
Nowadays, art can hardly avoid analyzing the environment from
– which is an actual contradiction.’ Anthony Julius, who quotes
which it emerges. The fact that the critically tuned artistic
Sontag in his book Transgressions – The Offenses of Art, goes as
activities deal only with partial problems of the society implies
far as to speculate that transgressive art is done for. I cannot agree
that its authors are content with the overall setting of the system.
with this approach. Critics build on the assumption that if anything
It is logical as the system leaves artists their creative freedom
repeats itself in art, it becomes discredited. Rejection of trans-
and that tends to be appreciated above all. The current political
gression on the basis of its wide-spread use and success in art is
systems differ from the previous totalitarian and autocratic ones
just as absurd as if scientists were to claim that applying the
in that they do not restrict an individual’s freedom directly and
method of measuring body temperature in medicine is not desirable
visibly. It isn’t necessary: individuals are not a threat to the
anymore as it is a procedure far too widespread and successful.
system anymore.
Transgression in the artistic context is nothing but a method.
Changes take place at the level of abstract relations, primarily in
Transgression is an essential means of updating the content
the sphere of categorization of information and domination
space. Transgression exposes borders enabling to define the
of various environments. In relation to the dominant position of
meaning of a given space.
visual communication in the cultural discourse and the postmodern shift towards the relativity of meanings, a major change of the
In his poetic style Michel Foucault asks if a border has any actual
status of information occurs – a value shift from content to
existence beyond the gesture that solemnly transgresses and
application. It is not substantial anymore what is said, but for what
denies it. Border is an ideological category that co-enables legibility
purpose it is said. Moreover, the content may be easily fabricated
for the coded structure of meanings. Its existence is just as ‘real’
(as Fox News put it, truth is all about perception). The value of
243
information lies primarily in its application. It is possible to say anything. The importance lies in who says it, where, how and
Notes / Antonín Kopp, 2008
why. This had always been a factor, but now society might have accepted this role of information exclusively – which is why no
Art can be a permanent revolution of certainties.Even the most
one objects anymore if a government official ‘can’t remember’
daring art is nothing but the baroque of globalisation.
what they did yesterday. It is not the content of such information itself that is being evaluated (he/she is lying or is completely
New figuration, new realism, new sensitivity, new ferocity, new
imbecile) but the purpose: he/she says so because such conduct
modesty, new intimacy, new sculpture, new Škoda Octavia,
holds specific benefits. And that is in accordance with the status
a new range of Vitana soups, new 2-in1 Nivea shampoo plus
quo and, therefore, acceptable. Everyone understands.
conditioner... the meaning of the word “new” is as important in art, as it is in marketing.
The point of play is that play has no point, says John Gray in his book Straw Dogs. This seems to be quite often the rule of thumb
In artistic practice, color spray paint is a good servant,
for contemporary artistic production. No wonder since ‘to mean
but a bad master.
something seriously’ is still partially awkward at the time of the slowly disappearing crisis of ideological thinking. At the same time,
Just as impressionist artists began to work in nature in order to attain
art is an activity that was recently defined through its ‘uselessness’.
a new point of view, so must contemporary artists work in
Since this is not officially valid anymore, it became necessary for
newsrooms, studios, offices, advertising agencies, schools and
every game to formulate a construction that exceeds it. In many
public service agencies to attain a new world view and make a living.
cases, the creativity of this construction considerably surpasses the original artistic performance. At any rate, it is an enhancement
Owners and directors of prestigious galleries use the same
of the game. The play on content is a logical reaction in an
marketing methods to administer galleries and manage artists as
environment where content is fabricated as a consequence of its
marketing people use to manage product brands and organisations.
application and where the semantic hyperbolas of art dissolve in
Unlike them, however, they do not advertise the fact.
the ‘real’ events, or become indistinguishable from them. Václav Bělohradský calls it a ‘hyper-realistic sludge’.
Painting is an attempt at reconciliation with life and there are as
Content is nothing but a construction and its categorization is
many possible solutions as there are human personalities.
a political activity. Art that has been insisting in the past decades on being inherently political is a highly appreciated social activity
Unfortunately, you will not find very many in the mass culture of
as a valuable commodity. In this form, is it a necessary sphere or
the global village.
rather a welcomed distraction of boredom in a world of Ballard’s metaphor of a ‘million balconies facing the sun’?
Never ask an artist how he makes his living.
Since the beginning Pode Bal was meant as an offensive platform,
Activism can also entail forcing oneself to go to the ballot at
a base for our incursions against the apathetic mud of the society
election time. The artistic aspect of this process lies in forcing
of average realities. It was not important to search for ‘new’ forms.
oneself to keep living in the country where one has the vote
In our work, we were constantly ‘finding’ various approaches and
even after hearing the election results.
strategies developed for i.e. commercial purposes, measurements, informing or other social violence. And we’ve come to realize,
Do I do what I do because I want to attract attention to
that a society whose collective ideal looks like a holiday by the
a particular issue, or to myself? This is the question posed by
sea is traditionally afraid of a play that has a point.
a good politician, as well as a good engaged artist.
If the ‘hyper-realistic sludge’ of reality is able to drown the abilities
The more the art of a particular country is activist, the less
of artistic reflection and becomes difficult to compete with, there
understandable it is in another country.
is no other choice but to start gradually destroying this reality. Only then can we find any borders in the play on content beyond
The slogans “Kill All Managers” or “Kill All Artists” mean the
which it becomes necessary to act, and therefore meaning.
same from the point of view of a monkey or God.
To force new experiences in commonly perceived environments had always been essential for Pode Bal, as was the search for
“A day will come when the artist will no longer be this bohemian,
borderline meanings.
puffed-up anarchist but a healthy man working in clarity within a collectivist society.” This was said by the painter George Grosz
It is substantial that art can be a bearer of much more serious
almost a hundred years ago and to this day it is still as
connotations than is usually assumed. I have a feeling that behind
reasonable as, for example, the assertion that there is life in
the sunglasses of the post-postmodernism it cannot be done
outer space.
without using certain violence.
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Turning meaning into a medium: Pode Bal and the art of mediating reality after deconstruction / Jiří Přibáň, 2008
In Converse and other Pode Bal projects we see neither Adorno’s modernity devouring its own tail and swallowing its rationalistic foundations, nor Derrida’s deconstructed world of texts, images and media comments. What else is there to deconstruct if that is what clerics are doing in the name
The Archbishop of Canterbury stated in an interview that the
of their doctrinal interests? In contrast, Pode Bal sheds light
adoption of certain aspects of Islamic sharia law by British leg-
on an era where everything is already after deconstruction.
islation was unavoidable. The reaction, for the British public,
It is as though members of the group sensed that Derrida’s
was heated. Most politicians and other public figures immedi-
ontological paradox, according to which a condition of the
ately voiced their opposition to the archbishop’s suggestion
possibility of being is its impossibility, has no higher sense.
that the official law of the land should be assimilated to the
Yet it does have some significance, because it facilitates our
cultural customs of various religious groups. Others, however,
view of the other side of what is labelled ‘common sense’,
lauded him for opening up an important subject and pointed to
‘universal order’, ‘universally shared values’, ‘world peace’,
the need of a serious debate on the status and discrimination
‘clash of civilizations’ or ‘our history’.
of believers in secular society. In some quarters, it was observed that in many respects Muslims were already in
Pode Bal is exceptional in that it turns meaning into a medium
a position to observe sharia in much the same way as Jews
and social communication into the principal artistic modus
abide by the rules of the beth din rabbinical courts.
operandi. It searches dumps for old wires to form a link with
Eventually, everyone agreed that the whole discussion had
what is spent, with what has already been used and thrown
been manipulated by the media and that, truth be told, no
out as rubbish. It intentionally short-circuits well-known cultural
one knew for certain what the Archbishop’s point was. At the
and political symbols and ‘truths’. It recycles materials and the
Anglican synod, he apologized for his misleading choice of
possible meanings of our recent history and the scorching
words and ‘unclarity’ as he had sought, he said, ‘to decon-
present. What is the rubbish of history and who recycles it
struct British law’.
and in whose name? And is there any point in talking about history in its totality? Isn’t it the same as talking automatically
The line taken by the mass media is that a dispute is preferable
about Islam, Christianity, Nazism or Communism?
to endorsement and banality is banned; they thrive on a constant supply of exciting news and act as a conduit for moral
One of the salient characteristics of most Pode Bal projects is
judgement, sensation and contempt. The media even take the
the ability to shatter the totality of any meaning in the context of
greatest delight in criticizing themselves, which is exactly what
elusive media reality. The group uses mass media communica-
happened in the case of the Archbishop’s scandalized lecture.
tion, in which the deconstruction of each message is expected
Rather than apocalyptic images of the amputated hands of
in advance. For today’s moralizers and custodians of social
thieves caught in British shops and nine-year-old girls forced
mores, the mass media have become the source of all evil and
into marriage, the whole debate on sharia in the UK reminded
are responsible, for example, for the decline of politics, the
of the Converse project by the Pode Bal group. This project
break-up of families, child violence and even, indeed, the global
included a media presentation of wares, such as a Swiss knife
epidemic of obesity. Pode Bal, on the other hand, reminds us of
shaped as an Arabic jambiya, a burqa with an opening for the
the simple fact that, ultimately, it is through the media that we
eyes in the shape of the Nike ‘swoosh’, and three ‘Adidas’
continue to perceive the world around us as a whole, albeit
stripes used to fasten the burqa to the head. Everything is
fragmented into thousands of different meanings that are
offered as a product which the West is keen to sell as a means
interlinked by the most diverse and unceasing flows of global
of furthering ‘understanding’ and ‘peace’ between different
communication. What we know of the world primarily comes
cultures. Pode Bal does not act as a group of artists, behaving
from newspapers, television, the Internet, radio, books, films
instead as business managers who show the public, by means
and video clips.
of a PowerPoint presentation, how we will have more respect for each other and how we will like each other more, regard-
To be sure, each medium manipulates reality, because it gives
less of faith or tradition, as a result of their profits.
us mediated access to reality. Yet there is no direct access. Media mediation cannot be redeemed by another reality where
However, are the globalized demands of consumer society
everything ‘really’ happens. It cannot be condemned as a false
genuinely breaking down the last remnants of cultural differ-
deformation or antithesis of the ‘natural world’. There is nothing
ences, or will today’s fluid modernity spill over into tomorrow’s
for it but to accept the mass media construction of reality with
wars of the gods, which the German sociologist Max Weber
all the fortuities, possibilities and impossibilities that are con-
presaged at the beginning of the last century? And don’t those
stantly formed and transformed in it. Combining the various
gods perhaps want to forge an alliance that will deliver a fatal
meanings making the rounds of the media and forcing new
blow to our seductively modern culture? And aren’t these
unexpected meanings on them is a task worthy of art. And this
questions archaic, trivial and impertinent in this day and age?
is precisely where Pode Bal is so successful.
245
Pode Bal on the Edge / Miroslav Petříček, 2008
the expected and is therefore undesirable. Conversion of the functions reveals their mechanics. The picture now becomes visible and all this takes place without comment or pointless
The artistic production of the Pode Bal crew often walks the
explaining. Yes, it really is on the edge. Partly because there is
edge. While this does belong to contemporary art, in this case
a danger that the unseen surfaces, so we come to realize the
it is more striking due to the unique method applied. It’s not an
existence of something invisible, and partly because the smooth
effort to provoke, shock or irritate, but something different: an
functioning of the social reality grinded to a halt just in the moment
active research of the social reality that conceals perfectly
when its denied outside opened inside it. Reality is smooth
elaborated arrangements of roles and conventions behind its
because it is nothing but a product consumed by its producers in
seeming transparency. And if a there is an edge surfacing in the
the moment of its formation. Artistic production that mercilessly
production of these artist, then it is just because their interventions
invades this reality and threatens its digestibility brings into the
into this reality pose questions: to the edge of what have we
voluntary bondage a call for active search for edges. Pode Bal,
got? what kind of edge is it? and where did it come from in our
however, is able to say this in a nutshell: a brick breaking
smooth reality? Those who find themselves in such a dangerous
through a glass is on both sides of it. Social reality is the glass:
place have the option to look at the other side where lie in wait
how is it possible that we do not want to look through it and
all that our social reality denies, expels and seeks to forget, or
rather use as a mirror?
fails to see completely. As if there was something inside, hiding behind the edge. Should we ever glimpse the inside, we cannot
The uniqueness of the method used by Pode Bal’s artists
keep from repulsion: it is the same as when entrails are revealed.
emerges from its application in a new type of social reality that owes its smooth transparency to the new media for which there
The entrails of social reality are, however, a completely different
are no borders, neither in time nor space. Immediate experience
issue: social reality is by no means naturally determined. It is
that used to be difficult and oftentimes rare does not differ in
an ideological construction of reality, covering up the fact of its
any way from the experience mediated: we know how people
constructed nature. That is precisely why it wants to be free of
we’ve never seen with our own eyes look like, we know the
all the edges and roughness; it wants to operate smoothly while
places we have never been to in detail and we witness events
being transparent and calculable. It dissolves the contradiction of
without being where they are taking place. We succumb to an
representation and reality, of picture and actuality; the reality is
illusion that there are no obstacles or borders since the difference
not a source of new information but an archive of time-tested
between the direct and the mediated is being wiped away more
tasks and stories. The reality of the real is denied since what we
and more, and thus we are not actually aware of what is
consider to be real is a sort of habit. Finding oneself in such
mediated. The system of depictive conventions itself is a source
a world entails a danger of a forthcoming withdrawal syndrome:
of information on reality. And this boundlessness, this unlimited
there is a danger that the drug our habit demands will run out or
communication and circulation, this world with no edges and
cease to affect.
therefore no outside, is the very drug we are addicted to.
The uniqueness of the method applied by the artists of this
Art that has always strived to examine other than the known
group is that not only do the artists not withhold the drug from
shapes of reality must, in this situation, enter the public space
addicted consumers, they provide it in a volume larger than large.
since that is currently the only place where it is possible to exa-
If a poster works as a way to advocate a certain convention,
mine whether and how we meet reality. It is neither a betrayal of
i.e. if it spreads and reinforces a habit of a certain vision of reality,
artistic objectives nor anything inappropriate. There is no generally
they use the very poster as the form of expression. The slogan
accepted definition of art and if artists nowadays try to withstand
“The only risk is not to try it” suddenly adopts a different
the dissolution of events in an unseeing gaze, they assume the
meaning: the risk is not to look on the other side. The border lies
right task, because art is capable to cross the boundaries of the
with the ambiguity that totally clouds the otherwise transparent
simply visible. Pode Bal thus enters the public space and finds
symbol (TGM – KFC). And they do the same with a postage
itself on the edge. The entrails are now visible: neuralgic spots,
stamp, for instance, a billboard, a common news photo or a tabloid
taboos, denial, displacement – we can see through the glass.
magazine. Following this transposition and transfer, a brand,
However, if the artists find themselves on the edge, as it happens
symbol or icon, supposed to establish the faith in cohesiveness
quite often, we should not consider the edge as something that
of social reality turns into a disturbance in that same reality.
emerges or can be found. That is not the way it is: in fact, there
To face a disturbance in the otherwise coherent reality means to
are no edges in our world. It is necessary to create them.
end up on the edge. A local event has global impact. EU is short
And art is (this) creation.
for Expect Unexpected. The content which is covered with the iconicity of “brands”, so it is a mere signal of danger, has unexpectedly become an information that provokes and irritates since it emerged outside
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Pode Bal - Political Art Is Not Dead / Lenka Kukurová, 2008
its ever-presence while commenting on its position. At the same time, they observe the mutual art/advertising crossover and dissolution of their mutual dichotomy.
When I started to write a paper in 2000 on critical reflection of social problems in contemporary Czech and Slovak visual art,
This situation results in the paradox of the present when an
I had to leave out the word “contemporary” and go back as far
advertising agency pays for an exhibition of art responding to its
as the communist period and the then underground to make sure
adverse side (30% Off, 2008). Coming back to the Špála Gallery
that my text could reach the required extent. This topic hardly
after some time, Pode Bal presented themselves there as well.
appeared at the time and politically oriented art was viewed as
While Malík urvi in these premises provoked withdrawal of the
an anachronism of the old times. One of the few political art
gallery's sponsor, the 30% Off exhibition did not take anyone by
solitaires with clearly articulated opinions was Pode Bal. The
surprise, nor provoke, and therefore, in a certain way, commented
situation has changed significantly in the meantime and that is
upon a transformation of our times when the controversies of
why the production by this art group was a sort of excursion for
politics are replaced with absorption by advertising. It was rather
me to the conditions of the post-revolutionary “political art in the
a statement and foreshadowing of a situation where advertising
flux of time“.
agencies appropriate critical art strategies. The parodic shoes advertisement called Shoah by Pode Bal may in fact become an
The topics Pode Bal deals with are due to the post-revolutionary
advertising sampler. Luckily, who shall swallow who in this fight
social reality quite symbolic. Most of their works explore two
between art and advertising is not quite clear, which had been
major levels: the issue of historical memory and the theme of
the theme of Michal Šiml in his work and performance
advertising. They deal with unpleasant historical topics and coping
Advertising Strategy for Political Art created for the Czechpoint
with their legacy in projects such as Malík urvi, Zimmer Frei,
exhibition (2006).
Faithful We Shall Remain, Leiden der 6. Armee, FlagellanT-shirts... With these projects they address the phenomena of national or
Realizations by Pode Bal go through various positions: while
regional memory and the problem of the recently widespread
some projects were utterly activist in providing a legible opinion
social amnesia.
(Prohibition of the Parliament, Extreme Campaign, A Larger Amount of State Drugs), Institutionalized Art, organizing of
They managed to disturb this amnesia most noticeably with the
workshops), other projects just reflected social problems (Serial
project Malík urvi, presented in the Špála Gallery in Prague (2000).
Sniper – militarism, cycle Pictures – violence against women,
In this project, not only the content was controversial, but the
Garden – racism) and with the exhibition Lety (2006) Pode Bal
form as well: from the artistic point of view, it was in fact a
attempted self-reflection. In this sense, Lety is an interesting
courageous gesture to exhibit purely documentary portraits with
probe into self-construction of meaning through the label of
captions. The form of a document or factual archive had hardly
a political art group. Pode Bal tried out in practice that their trivial
been used in the Czech visual arts before. Therefore, the reactions
paintings of a controversial landscape are viewed as political art.
at the time often claimed that this was not art.
In the Czech reality, it is however understandable – they just
Advertising, as the other theme, appears in Pode Bal’s projects
filled an empty space with this topic as a real political piece of
in the shape of appropriating commercial language as well as in
work related to the Roma concentration camp in Lety, unfortunately,
directing attention to the position of advertising itself. The visual
has yet to be created.
vocabulary of advertising as a byproduct of the consumer society is locally a rather new element. Still it became a part of the
From the focal point of art theory, Pode Bal's practical realizations
culture quite quickly. Pode Bal were the first on the Czech art
were ahead of the development of Czech and Slovak theory and
scene to make use of the reverse position of advertising –
terminology related to political art. The terms related to political
subvertising (or demarketing). The project A Larger Amount
art (activism, culture jamming, subvertising...) are being diversified
of State Drugs was not, however, focused on the critique of
only gradually and their differentiation is locally reflected only to
corporations and their crimes and did not try to turn corporate
a limited extent, which is something Pode Bal and other political
imagery on itself, as is the case with most activist works. It was
artists usually suffer from. Political art has many positions and
a reaction to absurdity of state prohibition. Critique of practices
therefore it does not necessarily have to be engaged, anti-corporate,
of specific companies does not appear in the work of Pode Bal.
leftist, nor activist.
The advertising situation in the globalized society was referred to in the collection of works Converse (2005) in which well-known product brands invade cultural attributes of the Arabic world. Though these works are, in my opinion, closest to the critique of advertising, it would be an improper reading. Also with respect to their own civil jobs, the members of Pode Bal do not criticize the phenomenon of advertising but they rather draw attention to
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Methodological Drift: Weak and Strong Solutions / Kamil Nábělek, 2008
the sphere of any steady discourse (this also relates to advertising as it primarily pursues efficiency, keeps to the tried and tested models and has no reason to experiment). “Weak” solutions are traditionally favored in the academic environment. They are
If we observe the artistic-social-political projects by Pode Bal
based on an effort to resolve the conceptual problems – i.e. to
with no bias or motivation, our feelings might be somewhat
formulate particular concepts, determine their prerequisites,
contradictory. They confront us at times with an excessive
gradually build the conceptual apparatus, disprove possible
straightforwardness and statements of nearly first-plan nature.
objections, specify and correct the existing structure, etc.
Other times we would need to study supplementary material to
“Strong solutions” mean that we refuse to deal with the old
be able to fully comprehend. If we are in an aesthetic mood in
problems and instead attempt to introduce a new discourse –
the broad sense of the word and affected by the traditional view
to give things different names and structure. This may take the
of art, we might fall short of our expectations. The members of
shape of a shift in paradigm, but can also be just a change of
the group do not primarily emphasize either aesthetic or formal
the topic in a discussion or conversation.
aspects in their work but rather place emphasis on communication and social discussion.
If Pode Bal introduces new (or different) methods to the art
On the other hand, if we are acquainted with the contemporary
sphere (e.g. appropriation, transgression, subversion, demarketing,
art scene and the discourse that accompanies and converges
etc.), it is intended not only to enrich the artistic means of
with it, we can use Pode Bal’s example to tell a story of socially
expression – that would be a weak solution – but mainly because
and politically engaged art. We might describe the identity shifts
they want to view art itself in a different way; to define it in
of the artists, galleries and their institutional framework, add
a new way and with that to invade the social sphere – these are
a reflection on the relation of art and mass culture and support
strong solutions already. If we want to solve social, political or
all with names of various artists and projects from an area that is
cultural problems, we tend to resort to the weak methods: we
nowadays developing nearly inflationary. How then should we view
offer a space for negotiation and practical activities within the
Pode Bal’s work so that it does not escape between the “cracks”
existing consensus. An art that is newly positioned and embedded
of conceptual categories or become a mere general example on
more strongly into the social-political context is an effort
which we would present our already well-learned theses?
to introduce strong solutions into this area. It does not follow academic discussions, political agreements or manipulative
From weak to strong solutions
strategies derived from advertising. It doesn’t have to describe
In my opinion, what is interesting about Pode Bal’s activities is
the given issue in a structured way in all its sociological, political,
a specific “methodological drift” – they are applying various
cultural or anthropological aspects. It does not even have to look
methods from the media sphere, advertising, public relations,
for a practical consensus. It is enough to introduce a new discourse
etc. where the members of the group operate as well. To the
– and that even without having to know what it intends to achieve
once protected domain of art they thus admit a strong
or what it wants to discuss.
methodological stream which springs from somewhere in the
Primarily in this view it remains art – an artist, unlike a politician,
areas of advertising and dominates the entire sphere of visual
social worker, or advertising strategist, prefers strong solutions
culture. These are very effective strategies and tools serving to
and does so even if they do not bring any “results”. He/she
temper our views if not to outright manipulate them. Now these
might not have a decided opinion or prefer a certain solution
tools can reinforce the effectiveness of art and enable it to enter
to another. His/her work with information or fieldwork does not
efficiently in the visual and social sphere. At the same time, it is
have to be systematic or consistent. This very “impracticality”
possible to manipulate the very strategies as well and to a certain
and untargeted aspect allow a projection of a specific aesthetical
extent even deconstruct them: to show their alchemy and turn
dimension into the social/cultural/activist projects. Not in the
them against themselves. With this methodological shift it is also
form of traditional aesthetical values of a work of art, but rather
possible to move from an intimately personal artist’s statement
in the demand for a change in perspective and mental setting.
and subjectively expressive or formally inquisitive artistic approach
It will introduce an aesthetic perspective, with its privileging of
to the strategic reasoning and pragmatic-sociological-ideological
surprising solutions and distinguished pointed moments crashing
concept of the authorship and the work of art.
our previous experience and habitualness, into the sphere that tends to be reviewed practically and ethically, i.e. with regard
The mentioned drift that wafted the advertising methods into the
to the result, rules, order, norms or predictability. This may result
art sphere may take them further on through the new milieu and
in works that are politically incorrect, inconsistent or cynical.
transform them along the way. While in their original advertisingvisual context they were used “rationally” and “appropriately”,
Dual strategy: project and communication
in the art sphere they may be applied “inappropriately”, i.e. in
An affinity to methods is a source of productivity but also can be
a free and creative way. This shift may serve as an example of
a source of weakness: thanks to a methodically elaborated base
a transition from “weak” to “strong” solutions. “Weak” solutions
it is possible to achieve a clear ideological aim and effectiveness.
are those within the already rooted and working schemes, i.e. in
It is more complicated, however, to maintain aesthetic peculiarity
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and multiple meaning or even indefiniteness, so much needed
An artistic group in this concept is not a summary of individuali-
for creating a rich contextual atmosphere of a work of art. In
ties or a sort of “common identity” of individual members but
relation to this, it becomes essential to remember the “strong”
rather a dramatic figure without identity in the individual
(inadequate) use of methodical tools.
psychological sense. It is an abstract construction of a kind,
The members of Pode Bal are aware of these facts. While their
a “mask” or “persona” similar to the ones worn by antic actors.
activities might be justifiably classified as politically engaged art,
The artist then speaks through this persona but it is not his/her
their movements within are not straightforward or first-planned.
own voice anymore what we hear. As we do not mistake
A certain two-layer dimension is typical for their works: the first
a dramatic persona’s speech for opinions of an author of a theatre
“project layer” is methodical, in an informed way observing
play (let alone an actor), we should not mistake Pode Bal’s
political-social and cultural-historical connections of the given
discourse for the group’s individuals’ opinions. It does not imply,
topic, moreover presented in media with adequate know-how.
of course, that these cannot practically overlap or converge.
In their work, however, there is an open and ambiguous “social
In terms of function, however, it is the possibility of their
communication layer” as well. Both the layers are interrelated
separation that enables the development of further communi-
and tension between them is expected. Starting off, the group
cation strategies. In the entire context, Pode Bal’s discourse is
formulates an artistic “speech” and places it deliberately into the
co-determined by other “dramatic personas” (social actors) in
social context. They do not affect it any further, however,
the play as well – i.e. various institutions, interest groups as
wanting to see how it behaves in the given environment and
well as individuals representing “themselves” (nevertheless
what reactions it triggers. Pode Bal’s intention is not to lead the
from a place given by the social position and language and power
society (or its parts) to accept a pre-intended attitude or even
relations, and thus in the form of a persona again).
a shift in behavior. The purpose of their projects tends to be rather a research in the social discourse and its functioning. In a certain
Fictional structure of a socially engaged work of art
moment, we may discover a seemingly surprising fact that has
The double methodical/contextual design of the work and the
its own creative logic: a former “statement” made in a project
distance of the Pode Bal members from themselves as well as
doesn’t even have to be an ideological conviction of the artists.
from their projects through a group persona may puzzle even
One of the sources of the semantic richness of social discourse
informed observers. Due to the shift of attention from the
is the fact that when saying something we do not necessarily
psychological to functional determination, however, when
have to express our personal opinion. We can just simply say
searching for “the group’s intentions” we may not overlook
anything to start a discussion and then maintain it, while offering
the system constitution of its “identity” and develop a better
impulses to expand and structure the topic. We do not have to
understanding for Pode Bal’s approach towards the cultural,
pursue a given concept (that should either be confirmed or
social and political facts which are similar to social-construction
disproved). Or, if following a certain strategy, while at the same
theories. At the same time, we may realize that though Pode Bal
time intending to keep our distance in order to leave it open, we
creates politically tuned and activist works in the public space
may speak through an appropriated fictional persona.
while considering their effects, even these socially and pragmatically oriented works have their functional level deter-
Group persona
mining their artistic status. Though Pode Bal’s projects are built
When observing communication strategies we must keep in
in a methodical way and with respect to their effect, their
mind the difference between the speech of an individual or a
concepts serve only as basis for a looser and more complex
group of individuals and the “voice” of a group as such. In our
communication. They form a fictional structure that is a particular
contemplations on visual art, we often tend to reduce artistic
kind of artistic production – only partially pre-governable by
strategies with respect to two types of speech: 1) a speech by
newly emerging situations and new meanings. This duality is
an artist addressing him/herself (i.e. an artist expressing his/her
allowed by the fact that Pode Bal has no coherent identity and
own opinions and feelings regardless whether the public under-
can afford to work in two seemingly unrelated ways at the same
stands, while expecting the public to comprehend that his/her
time: to connect elaborated, nearly research projects with
“monologue” cannot be expressed in any other way – and
“unmotivated” nowhere-leading instigation of production of
therefore will try to understand his/her language and attempt to
meanings. While the first sphere is systematic and predictable,
grasp the message); 2) a speech by an artist addressing the
the other one is introducing gaps, thresholds, cracks or whirls in
public (in this case the artist conforms to the public’s general
the social discourse. It’s precisely this initially clear structuring
language). In both cases, the artist is believed to speak for
that opens an option for the general public to enter the seemingly
himself/herself. Not always – since this approach appears primarily
transparent work/situation. It is not, however, led by Pode Bal
in the literary and dramatic sphere – do we realize the third
until the very end – it may be left alone or even purposely
possibility: when an artist speaks through someone else. At this
confused. If we happen to find a certain ideological intention,
point he/she does not speak for himself/herself but merely says
it is our own conclusion and it is not pre-determined by the
what a fictional person might express when appearing in a context
authors. At the same time, new and unexpected situations, ideas
determined by other fictional personas.
or metaphors may accidentally appear and we do not necessarily have to understand them to the full extent. In this particular
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moment, however, we may realize that just as an appropriate
/ Tomáš Pospiszyl, 2008
metaphor does not have to make sense (at least not one that can be paraphrased), but invite and lure us to impart a meaning
For lack of a better word, I will say it directly: a large part of the
onto it and thus “make it work”, a social or political discussion
work of Pode Bal makes me outraged, both in the good and bad
does not have to lead to a clear conclusion. Politics is not a purely
sense of the word. I have a feeling that a lot of the subject
methodological activity observing clear rules (ideological princi-
matter and means of execution that Pode Bal brings stays on the
pals or through a strongly idealistic concept of morals). It is not
surface and fulfills well accustomed stereotypes. “It is surely
a free arena without any rules either. It is an ongoing formulation
a lot more complicated,” I say to myself often in front of their
of the public space, its continuous and variable formation based
works. However hardly any art forces me to formulate as well
on our unclear, wide and elusive contextual understanding.
what it is that irritates me about it. I admit: it is often seemingly
In this dynamic, open, personally engaged and thus responsible
superficial, but almost always, by some miracle, I walk away
call for participation. Politics and art are similar and therefore
enriched by thoughts that could not be called superficial.
they may find a common ground (or at least share one communication space).
There is no doubt that Pode Bal's work belongs to the sphere of visual – or any other – art. At the beginning Pode Bal had to pay
That is, in my opinion, a conclusion, albeit with an open end, to
for being the first unit in the Czech republic with such political-
which Pode Bal’s activities urge us. It is now up to us to make
activist agenda and one of the first to use media communication
up our own weak and strong solutions for suggestions and
methods systematically. It was interesting to observe how
questions we are asked, induced and offered – and if we like,
a whole lot of critics – including me – accused Pode Bal of
to realize their limits as well.
double-dealing. They work (presumably) in advertising and at the same time make art that unmasks methods and messages of advertising agencies. It is no less interesting how similar are the
/ Notes: The relation between strong and weak solutions is similar to the relation between the ordinary and revolutionary science. Basically, it relates to the ideas by Richard Rorty combined with Thomas Kuhn, i.e. a mixture of post-modern pragmatic views.
arguments of selling-out of ideals and collaboration with media capital used today by the groups Guma Guar and Ztohoven in their feud. As if there existed some ideal purity of art, that is constantly under siege. At the same time the alleged or real
The “methodological drift” is not limited to the Pode Bal group, nor is it their invention. It is a general approach of similarly oriented artists and groups exemplarily it is developed by ®TMark, for instance. Along with “tactical” usage of media (“tactical media”, see David Garcia, Geert Lovink), it belongs to the elementary equipment of most socially engaged artists and groups. I use the term in a broad sense of exploration of social facts constructed by ideology, language, economy and other forces; i.e. approaches traceable to representatives of the Frankfurt school, to Michel Foucault and in a more technical form to Niklas Luhmann, etc.
sell-out of artistic ideals is a theme that is connected with the avant-garde at least since the end of the nineteenth century. Pode Bal is attacking that part of our nervous system that has hypertrophied through the incidence of commercials. It pours into those channels content, whose substance is different than what is commonly received there. Pode Bal are artists that work with the media space. It is natural. It is historically a new and constantly expanding space, that gains more and more importance in our lives. That is why it is also important for art. To be surprised by this, or even to pass judgment on those who enter this space is perhaps similar as demanding that landscape painters were also good farmers.
250
/ Karel Hvížďala, 2008 Pode Bal substitutes the non-functioning media. When newspapers, radio and television grasp only fragments of the surface and time is more important to them than content, they lose the capability to understand the substance and aren’t even capable of selfreflection. This is happening at a time of great changes, when the performance society is changing into a creative society. Until today investments were made where there was a cheap workforce; now there is a slowly developing trend in investing where there is creativity and talent. Media without conscience are but a ruin of the soul: they are crippled and tend to go on crippling. The critical social art of Pode Bal restores the capability of reflection and is an appeal to the conscience. This comes at a time when the ordinary citizen suffers the political reality as something extraneous and underhanded. Only when we acknowledge and clarify our guilt can we realize our new goals. Pode Bal reminds us that we are accomplices. We can only erase our blind spot through “inner resistance”, through which we defend ourselves against the tyranny of insignificant consolations and goals. Only that gives us a chance to become “existence” (Jaspers), to be born again, to be creative. Mazl tov. What luck!
/ Jiří David, 2008 I have always perceived and therefore accepted Pode Bal as an important phenomenon in the serenity of Czech complacency. Especially in the second half of the 90s, through their uncompromising approach, they stirred the concealed and unwanted children of Czech memory. I have always valued and respected that. As I always try to perceive things and appearances in their contexts, it is impossible for me not to see, that it was the Pode Bal group as the first who came with this memory reconstruction. Their content penetration was unexpected and targeted uncompromisingly those domains that the rest of the Czech visual culture avoided by far. They successfully “invaded” the local hypocrisies, cowardice and many conventional stereotypes. It is difficult to have the nerve continually and in a long term, to tool critical social sensors a not to fall into the pool of aesthetics, not to succumb to fatigue or skepticism or futility. Pode Bal in their latter times diligently pursued this (pursues and surely will pursue). Sometimes in a convincing way, sometimes they incidentally “sampled” from the pool. Despite of that they have unquestionably created space for “their” followers and that is a lot, even though their followers might (must?) also reject them today. For me Pode Bal will be, is and was always valuable, inspirational, forcing me to think.
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Petr Motyčka
Michal Šiml
Antonín Kopp
Sellected solo exhibitions / projects Fascade – public space, fascade of the National Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2008 Cover Art – Hunt Kastner Artworks, Prague, Czech Republic, 2007 Lety – Gallery Gambit, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006 Flagellants – public space, Galerie Art Wall, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006 FlagelanT-shirts – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2005 Reaction Painting – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2005 Dialog der Denkmaler – Gallery Framework, Berlin, Germany, 2005 Garden – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2004 Stars – Municipal Gallery of Štemberk, Štemberk, Czech Republic 2003 Serial Sniper – public space, Amsterdam, NL, 2003 Faithful We Shall Remain – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2003 Crossdressing – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2002 Institucionalizované umění – public space, fascade of the National Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2002 Pay per view – Gallery NoD, Prague, Czech Republic, 2001 Malík urvi / Gen - Gallery of Established Nomenclature – Václav Špála Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2000, Gallery Priestor, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2000 TGM Chicken – Gallery MXM, Prague, Czech Republic, 1999 Larger Amount of State Drugs – Gallery of the Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, 1999 Action Czech Hands – Cinema U Hradeb, Prague, Czech Republic, 1998 Extreme Campaign – public space, Czech Republic, 1998 Parliament Prohibition – Parliament of the Czech Republic, Gallery MXM, Prague, Czech Republic, 1998
Sellected group exhibitions Impressions – Gallery Senzor, Designblok, Prague, Czech Republic, 2008 ArtPhone – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2008 30% OFF – Václav Špála Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2008 TinaB – public space, Prague, Czech Republic, 2007 Gross National Product – Metropolitan Gaqllery of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic, 2007 Tease Art Fair – Köln, Germany, 2007 Wydarzylo sie dzisiaj – Arsenal, Poznaň, Poland, 2007 Chaplin Resident Fighter – Gallery Futura, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006 Among Us Groups II – DUMB, Brno, Czech Republic, 2006 Czech Point – Gallery NoD, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006 Ballkunstler – Museum der bildenden Kunste, Liepzig, Germany, 2006 Keine Wunderkamer – C2C Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006 Stín humoru – BWA Awantgarda, Wroclaw, Poland, 2006, Gallery Mars, Moscow, Russia, 2006 Don’t Die for Love – public space and Gallery C2C, Prague, Czech Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2006 Beauty Free Shop – Palace Adria, Prague, Czech Republic, 2005 Prague Biennial 2 – Prague, Czech Republic, 2005 Niemansland – Kunstlerhaus Wien, Vienna, Austria, 2004 Billboard Gallery Europe – public space, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2003 Next5Minutes – Amsterdam, NL, 2003 Art of Survival at the Czech Centre – Czech Centre, B+B, London, UK, 2003 Transindex – Cluj, Romania, 2002
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Politik-Um, New Engagement – Prague Castle courtyard, Prague Castle Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic, 2002 Extradi(c)tion – Museu da Água, Lisabon, Portugal, 2002 Enough Smoke? – Gallery Mánes, Prague, Czech Republic, 2000 Uberlebens Kunst, Junge Tschechische Kunst – Mitte Europe Festival, Kulmbach, Germany, 2000 Uberlebens Kunst, Junge Tschechische Kunst – Gallery NBK, Berlin, Germany, 2000 Austrotel Contemporary Art Fair – Vienna, Austria, 1999 CZ99 – Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic, 1999
Sellected lectures and presentations Pode Bal – FAMU, Prague, Czech Republic, 2008 Art, media and Politics – seminar at the Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, 2007, 2008 Art, Media and Public Space – Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006 Luxury of Attention – Burg Giebichenstein Academy of Arts and Design, Halle, Germany, 2005 Public Space and Urbanism – panel discussion, Czech_In – 3d Block, Stadwerkstad, Linz, Austria, 2004 Public Art and Urban Interventions – Czech_In – 3d Block, OK Center, Linz, Austria, 2004 Politics of the Image, Visual Reality – Gallery Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic, 2004 Public Art – Philosophical Faculty of the Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, 2004 Decentralization of the Structure of Visual Communication – Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, 2003 Media Activism and Art – Priestor Gallery, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2003 Dialogs – Experimental Space NoD,Prague, Czech Republic, 2003 Urban Interventions – Next5Minutes, Amsterdam, NL, 2003 Low-Tech methods in Activist Art – Next5Minutes, Amsterdam, NL, 2003 Enduring Post-Communism – panel discussion, Next5Minutes, Amsterdam, NL, 2003 Dialogs – Gallery Display, Prague, Czech Republic, 2003 Political Aspects of Contemporary Art – Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, 2003 Media Activism and Art – Transindex conference, Cluj, Romania, 2002 Political Art – panel discussion, Politikum / New Engagement, Goethe Institute, Prague, Czech Republic, 2002 New Media and Art – panel discussion, Datatransfer, Archa Theater, Prague, Czech Republic, 2001 Application of Commercial Strategies in Non-commercial Visual Work / Art – Iberoamerican University, Mexico City, 2000 Visual Communication and Manipulation – Gallery Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic, 1999
Sellected workshops Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, 2004; University of Jan Evangelist Purkyne, 2003; Academy of Applied Arts, Prague, 2003; University of Jan Evangelist Purkyne, 2002; Gallery NoD (together with RTMark), 2001; Iberoamerican University, Mexico City, 2000
Hana Valihorová (1998--2005)
Leoš Válka (1999--2003)
Martin Krpec (1998--2004)
Vladimír Vopat (IT specialist)
Pode Bal members and collaborators PROHIBITION OF THE PARLIAMENT Pavel Jedlička, Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Hana Valihorová EXTREME CAMPAIGN Pavel Jedlička, Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Hana Valihorová ACTION CZECH HANDS David Fírek, Pavel Jedlička, Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Zuzana Lednická, Petr Motyčka, Michal Rydval, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová LARGER AMOUNT OF STATE DRUGS David Fírek, Pavel Jedlička, Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová TGM CHICKEN Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová STAMP Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová CAMPAIGN Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová EUTOPIA Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Vladimír Vopat MALÍK URVI / GEN -- GALLERY OF ESTABLISHED NOMENCLATURE Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat EDITORIAL Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat CITY LIGHTS Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Štěpánka Šimlová, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat PAY PER VIEW Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat INSTITUTIONALIZED ART Antonín Kopp, Leander Leiský, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat EXTRADICTION Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat ZIMMER FREI Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat CROSSDRESSING Marta Hrubá, Antonín Kopp, Hana Koppová, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml FAITHFUL WE SHALL REMAIN Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat STARS Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Leoš Válka, Vladimír Vopat SERIAL SNIPER Antonín Kopp, Leander Leiský, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Vladimír Vopat LEIDEN DER 6. ARMEE Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Martin Šimek, Michal Šiml, Julia Sonntag, Vladimír Vopat, Petr Vrána DIALOG DER DENKMALER Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, GARDEN Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Leoš Válka EAGLES Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml CONVERSE Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová REACTION PAINTING Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová, Petr Vrána FLAGELANT-SHIRTS Antonín Kopp, Martin Krpec, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml PICTURES Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml FLAGELLANTS Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml LETY Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Antonín Střížek, Michal Šiml, Petr Vrána PARTICIPATION ON PROJECTS Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml TOP SECRET REPORT Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml COVER ART Antonín Kopp, Petr Motyčka, Michal Šiml, Hana Valihorová
Special thanks Bojan Bojanic’, Jan Černý, Christopher Cook, Jiří David, Dušan Dvořák, Jan Dvořák, Olga Peřestá, Glen Emery, Andreas Findeisen, Hannah Gajdošíková, Josef Hlaváček, Ricardo Hoinef, Georg Hodek, Marta Hrubá, Dáša Hrubínová, Jitka Chrtková, Linda Jablonská, Simona Černá, Zuzana Jeřábková, Jan Kalaš, Jan Kimla, Lenka Klodová, Jarmyl Knotek, Tomáš Knotek, Martin Kocourek, Lenka Kovaříková, Lenka Králová, Hana Koppová, Jana Kotíková, Michal Kozelka, Milan Kreuzzieger, Lukáš Kruml, Pavel Krůšek, Anna Kulová, Radek Málek, Viktor Mravčík, Alexandra Nejdlová, Jana Páchová, Pavla Pečínková, Miro Peraica, Martin Polák, Sylva Pryclová, Jakob Racek, Zdeněk Roler, Kamil Rychnavský, Boris Séméniako, Jan Slovenčík, Marta Smolíková, Johana Střížková, Michal Sváček, Jana a Jiří Ševčíkovi, Jan Šilar, Štěpánka Šimlová, Jan Tábor, Marek Tomin, Petr Václavek, Radek Vantuch, Viktor Vokjan, Jan Vytopil, Tomáš Zábranský, Vladimír Zámiš, Zdeněk Ziegler
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Pode Bal 1998–2008 © Pode Bal 2008 / www.podebal.cz / podebal@podebal.cz Edited by Pode Bal Design and typography: Pode Bal Photography: Pode Bal, Jan Šilar, Martin Polák, Michal Sváček, Petr Václavek Translation: Stuart Hall, Magda Pěnčíková, Radek Vantuch, Petr Motyčka, Marek Tomin Proofreading: Glen Emery, Petr Motyčka, Marek Tomin Printed by TRICO, Praha / www.trico-cz.com Published in 2008 by DIVUS Sale: shop@divus.cz / tel.: (+420) 777 730 230, 226 216 087 Address: Divus / Křižíkova 34, 186 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic tel.: (+420) 226 216 089 / www.divus.cz / divus@divus.cz Published with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic ISBN: 978–80–86450–43–8
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This means that someone (the authors of these artifacts) will reap all the fame for artistic courage and someone else (Havel) will suffer the consequences. Everyone knows that there has been a mobilization against the Castle (i.e. me) for some time now. And can anyone imagine a better setup than the designed decoration of the Castle would be? The political parties, all the media and the whole Czech Nation would unite in the opinion that I did not manage to protect the sacred place of the Czech statehood. The roles would be divided perfectly: the artists would be heroes for free and I would be the traitor of the Nation. And I should have taken that bait?
Vรกclav Havel, 2002
ISBN: 978–80–86450–43–8